Shock claims have emerged that the Today show host Georgie Gardner could soon be replaced by Studio 10’s Sarah Harris.
According to a report published by New Idea on Monday, the 37-year-old Channel 10 star is tipped to join the Nine Network’s flagship breakfast show in 2019.
A ‘well-placed insider’ apparently claimed: ‘Georgie Gardner is not winning over any viewers. And her serious “agenda” interview every morning is hated by Nine execs.’
Is Georgie Gardner being replaced by Studio 10’s Sarah Harris? According to a report by New Idea on Monday, the Today show anchor will be ‘gone in 2019’. Pictured: Sarah Harris
Victoria Buchan, the Director of Communications and Public Relations at Nine, swiftly denied New Idea’s report, however.
She told Daily Mail Australia that ‘absolutely none’ of the claims were true.
Daily Mail Australia has also contacted Channel 10 for comment. It is understood the rumours will be addressed on Studio 10 sometime on Monday.
According to a report in New Idea on Monday, Sarah, 37, will replace Georgie (pictured), 48, in 2019. A ‘well-placed insider’ told the publication: ‘Georgie Gardner is not winning over any viewers. And her serious “agenda” interview every morning is hated by Nine execs’
With the Today show and Studio 10 both underperforming in the ratings, there is a strong likelihood of a staff ‘shake-up’ in the coming months.
However, it’s important to remember that New Idea is owned by Seven West Media – which produces rival breakfast TV program Sunrise – and so the claims should be taken with a grain of salt.
Indeed, Today co-host Karl Stefanovic recently claimed that ratings have improved, after they dropped to a record low in November.
Victoria Buchan, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Nine, denied the claims on Monday, telling Daily Mail Australia that ‘absolutely none’ of them were true, adding that they were ‘rubbish’. Pictured: Karl Stefanovic with Georgie
The 44-year-old told the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday: ‘The numbers are improving, female viewers are coming back, I think we have turned a corner.’
Earlier this year, Nine CEO Hugh Marks publicly acknowledged that Karl’s personal life had negatively affected the program.
‘Clearly, it’s been a tough and challenging year for Karl and Today,’ he told The Australian in September, adding that, everyone on the show – ‘especially Karl’ – needed to lift their game.
A bright future? Embattled Today show co-host Karl recently claimed that ratings have improved, after they dropped to a record low 199,000 metro viewers in November. Pictured: Karl with Georgie
Karl separated from wife-of-21-years Cassandra Thorburn in September 2016. A few months later, he began dating former model Jasmine Yarbrough.
Media analysts have claimed that his marriage breakdown and subsequent relationship with a younger woman has damaged his reputation with female viewers.
Meanwhile, Karl and Jasmine are currently en route to Mexico for their wedding next weekend in San José del Cabo.
Personal dramas: Karl separated from wife of 21 years Cassandra Thorburn (pictured) in September 2016, before moving on with Jasmine Yarbrough. It is believed that this led to a drop in Karl’s appeal with female viewers of the breakfast program