Georgie Gardner ‘demanded’ former Today co-star Karl Stefanovic be axed from the show

Karl Stefanovic was axed from the Today show on Wednesday, after working on the morning show for 14 years. 

And on Friday, The Daily Telegraph claimed his co-host Georgie Gardner, 48, ‘demanded not to work with him’ and already knew he would get the boot a year ago.

It’s also been claimed that Georgie, who replaced Lisa Wilkinson last year, was ‘assured’ by Nine a year ago that she would only have to work with Karl for 12 months. 

‘She hates Karl and has done for a long time’: Georgia Gardner ‘demanded not to work with Karl Stefanovic’ before he was fired… as it’s claimed ‘she knew’ he would get the boot a year ago 

‘Georgie simply demanded she won’t work with Karl anymore,’ a Nine executive reportedly told the publication. 

‘She hates Karl and has done for a long time,’ the insider continued – adding that Karl’s Ubergate scandal certainly didn’t help the situation.

'Georgie simply demanded she won't work with Karl anymore,' a Nine executive reportedly told the publication 

‘Georgie simply demanded she won’t work with Karl anymore,’ a Nine executive reportedly told the publication 

Turn down an invite? The unnamed boss also said that she was invited to Karl's wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough in Mexico on December eight (pictured), but chose not to go

Turn down an invite? The unnamed boss also said that she was invited to Karl’s wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough in Mexico on December eight (pictured), but chose not to go

They also said that she was invited to Karl’s wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough in Mexico earlier this month, but chose not to attend. 

However, in a statement to The Daily Telegraph, Nine dismissed the report as ‘utter garbage.’

‘This claim is utter garbage. The decision was made solely by management,’ the statement read.

Meanwhile, News Corp reported on Thursday that just over a year ago, a senior executive at the network reportedly promised Georgie that she’d only have to work with Karl for a year. 

‘She signed on to the show after having been assured she would only have to do one year with Karl,’ an unnamed senior executive at Nine reportedly told The Sunday Telegraph a year ago. 

Strict conditions: Meanwhile, News Corp reported on Thursday that just over a year ago, a senior executive at the network reportedly promised Georgie that she'd only have to work with Karl for a year 

Strict conditions: Meanwhile, News Corp reported on Thursday that just over a year ago, a senior executive at the network reportedly promised Georgie that she’d only have to work with Karl for a year 

‘After that, he’s gone and Nine will recast and she will get to work with someone else,’ they reportedly added at the time. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Nine for comment in relation to this story. 

After months of speculation, Karl was dumped from Today on Wednesday, just a day after his brother Peter, 37, parted ways with the network ‘to explore new opportunities.’  

‘For the last 14 years I’ve co-hosted the best show on television. I can’t thank Nine enough for the opportunity. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be good enough to host this grand show for so long,’ Karl said in a statement.

Gone! After months of speculation, Karl was dumped from Today on Wednesday, just a day after his brother Peter, 37, (R) parted ways with the network 'to explore new opportunities'

Gone! After months of speculation, Karl was dumped from Today on Wednesday, just a day after his brother Peter, 37, (R) parted ways with the network ‘to explore new opportunities’

‘Thanks to our viewers mostly, you are what matters most. It’s been a tough time. Thanks for hanging in there. I look forward to seeing you in another capacity at this great Network soon.’

Meanwhile, Darren Wick, Director of News and Current Affairs at Channel Nine, confirmed that Karl would be staying with the network and will continue to host This Time Next Year. 

The embattled breakfast star still has 12 months left on his $3 million contract.

Rumours have swirled for months that Karl was set to be axed from the Today show on the back of terrible ratings driven by viewers’ unhappiness at his controversial personal life. 

Making headlines: In March, Peter and Karl were embroiled in the now infamous 'Ubergate' scandal after their private phone conversation in a taxi was leaked to New Idea magazine.Karl reportedly complained about Georgie during the chat

Making headlines: In March, Peter and Karl were embroiled in the now infamous ‘Ubergate’ scandal after their private phone conversation in a taxi was leaked to New Idea magazine.Karl reportedly complained about Georgie during the chat

In March, Peter and Karl were embroiled in the now infamous ‘Ubergate’ scandal after their private phone conversation in a taxi was leaked to New Idea magazine.

In the ‘b**chy’ 45-minute conversation, Peter complained about his role on Weekend Today while Karl ‘angrily’ complained about his Today show co-host Georgie Gardner, saying she needed to ‘step up… if she wanted to stay on the [Today] show.’

Georgie was promoted to co-host of the Today show in January following Lisa Wilkinson’s shock exit and defection to Channel Ten in late 2017.

Lisa left Today after Nine failed to match her salary to Karl’s, who was rumoured to be earning double what she was being paid.

His former co-host: Georgie was promoted to co-host of the Today show in January following Lisa Wilkinson's shock exit and defection to Channel Ten in late 2017 (Lisa is pictured)

His former co-host: Georgie was promoted to co-host of the Today show in January following Lisa Wilkinson’s shock exit and defection to Channel Ten in late 2017 (Lisa is pictured)

 

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