Karl Stefanovic displays his bare legs in a colourful bird costume

He once wore the same navy suit for a year as part of a social experiment about sexism.

But on Friday Karl Stefanovic donned a very different type of suit, wearing a rainbow lorikeet costume before plunging into Melbourne’s Yarra River for a charity swim on the Today show.

The 43-year-old appeared to be in need of a tan as he made his way to the water with bare legs.

  

Surf’s up! Karl Stefanovic displays his bare legs in a colourful bird costume for cringeworthy Today show stunt 

Accompanied by staff, Karl made his way to the water’s edge barefoot as he prepared to take the plunge. 

The Channel Nine talent was surrounded by camera and audio crew, and a female producer busy chatting on her phone – likely preparing people on the set for the incoming sight.

Minutes before the stunt Karl found time for some quiet contemplation as he looked out onto the river.  

Contemplating? The seasoned journalist, with over two decade of experience under his belt, starred out onto the dark water - likely regretting what he was about to do

Contemplating? The seasoned journalist, with over two decade of experience under his belt, starred out onto the dark water – likely regretting what he was about to do

Ready, set...: However he seemed ready to do the stunt as he appeared to check the winds before making a splash

Ready, set...: However he seemed ready to do the stunt as he appeared to check the winds before making a splash

Preparing himself: However he seemed ready to do the stunt as he appeared to check the winds before making a splash

Jump! Earlier he had promised to jump in the river if he could raise $10,000 and being true to his word he did just that - however, he wasn't without his hesitations

Jump! Earlier he had promised to jump in the river if he could raise $10,000 and being true to his word he did just that – however, he wasn’t without his hesitations

Bracing for impact: As he looked into the river, a forlorn-looking he admitted: 'I don't really want to talk at the moment because I'm seeing a lot of dead things in the river'

Bracing for impact: As he looked into the river, a forlorn-looking he admitted: 'I don't really want to talk at the moment because I'm seeing a lot of dead things in the river'

Bracing for impact: As he looked into the river, a forlorn-looking he admitted: ‘I don’t really want to talk at the moment because I’m seeing a lot of dead things in the river’

Earlier he had promised to jump in the river if he could raise $10,000 and being true to his word he did just that – however, he wasn’t without his hesitations.

As he looked into the river, a forlorn-looking Karl admitted: ‘I don’t really want to talk at the moment because I’m seeing a lot of dead things in the river.’

‘If I could, I would take it back… I don’t want to go in no more. Look at it, it’s so dirty.’ 

Making a splash: He leaped into murky waters in spectacular form

Making a splash: He leaped into murky waters in spectacular form

Help: Two lifeguards soon came Karl's rescue - and it appeared the TV personality had been rather busy during his brief time in the water

Help: Two lifeguards soon came Karl’s rescue – and it appeared the TV personality had been rather busy during his brief time in the water

Winner winner fish for dinner! Resurfacing from the river, he held up a sizable fish still in a plastic bag

Winner winner fish for dinner! Resurfacing from the river, he held up a sizable fish still in a plastic bag

Preparing himself for take-off Karl did a test run up to the edge of the river before covering his face with the bird-like headgear.

He leaped into murky waters in spectacular form.

Two lifeguards soon came to Karl’s rescue – and it appeared the TV personality had been rather busy during his brief time in the water.

What a catch: He later joked with Today co-stars Georgie Gardner and Richard Wilkins that he had caught with his bare hands

What a catch: He later joked with Today co-stars Georgie Gardner and Richard Wilkins that he had caught with his bare hands

What a catch: He later joked with Today co-stars Georgie Gardner and Richard Wilkins that he had caught with his bare hands

Paddling to safety: Karl was helped onto the paddle board by one of the lifesavers

Paddling to safety: Karl was helped onto the paddle board by one of the lifesavers

Back to sure: The water safety personnel helped paddle him back the on-location Today Show set 

Back to sure: The water safety personnel helped paddle him back the on-location Today Show set 

Dripping wet: the Gold Logie winner emerged from the river looking worlds away from his suited- up on-air persona

Dripping wet: the Gold Logie winner emerged from the river looking worlds away from his suited- up on-air persona

Resurfacing he was held a sizable fish and later told Today co-stars Georgie Gardner and Richard Wilkins joked that he had caught with his bare hands.

Karl was helped onto the paddle board by one of the lifesavers, who helped pull him to drier ground. 

Dripping wet, Karl looked worlds away from his dapper on-air persona, with Georgie quizzing him about his questionable scent.

‘There’s a stench – is it you or the fish?’ she asked him as he dried himself with a towel. 

Drying up: Karl wiped away the river water using a towel as co-host Georgie quizzing him about his questionable scent

Drying up: Karl wiped away the river water using a towel as co-host Georgie quizzing him about his questionable scent

Drying up: Karl wiped away the river water using a towel as co-host Georgie quizzing him about his questionable scent

'There's a stench! 'Is it you or the fish?' Georgie asked Karl as he dried himself with a towel

‘There’s a stench! ‘Is it you or the fish?’ Georgie asked Karl as he dried himself with a towel



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