You forgot to turn your screen off, Karl! Stefanovic is caught faking a phone call as he tries to ignore paparazzi outside his Sydney home – after being sacked from the Today show
He returned to Australia on Friday amid a blaze of publicity, having been sacked from the Today show two days earlier while on his honeymoon in Aspen.
And after arriving back at his Sydney home, Karl Stefanovic appeared to take a rather urgent phone call.
Or, perhaps he didn’t – as his iPhone screen appeared to be turned on when he held the device close to his ear.
You forgot to turn your screen off! Karl Stefanovic was caught faking a phone call while trying to ignore paparazzi outside his Sydney home on Friday – after being sacked from Today
Usually, smartphones have a proximity sensor which automatically turns the screen off when a person holds the handset close to their ear during a call.
This saves battery life and also means the user doesn’t accidentally press keys with their cheek.
Therefore, the fact that Karl’s screen was illuminated suggests he wasn’t actually speaking to anyone and was just holding the phone to look busy.
A smart move? Usually, smartphones have a proximity sensor which automatically turns the screen off when a person holds the handset close to their ear during a call
This technique – pretending to take an urgent phone call when approached by paparazzi – has been employed by A-list celebrities in the past.
Reality star Kourtney Kardashian is known to use the ‘fake call’ trick when photographed out and about in Los Angeles.
Channel Nine insiders will no doubt find this fact rather amusing, as Karl and his brother Peter are nicknamed ‘the Kardashian sisters of Willoughby’ at the network.
Still smiling: Despite his recent career woes, Karl nonetheless tried to project an air of positivity as he arrived at his North Shore home
The nickname is believed to be a reference to the brothers’ lavish lifestyles and tabloid-baiting antics.
Despite his recent career woes, Karl nonetheless tried to project an air of positivity as he arrived at his North Shore home.
He dressed casually in a black T-shirt and denim jeans, adding a pop of colour to his look by wearing Yeezy sneakers featuring bright shoelaces.
Finally home: It’s been a tumultuous few days for the father-of-three, who was sensationally axed from the Today show on Wednesday after 14 years in the role
It’s been a tumultuous few days for the father-of-three, who was sensationally axed from the Today show on Wednesday after 14 years in the role.
The sacking came less than 24 hours after his brother Peter was dumped from the network altogether.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Karl’s longtime colleague Richard Wilkins was replaced by Triple J’s Brooke Boney as the entertainment reporter for Nine’s breakfast show.
Home sweet home: Karl looked happy to be back in familiar territory after a stressful few days