Karl Stefanovic has returned to Australia after being unceremoniously sacked from the Today show while on his honeymoon in Aspen, Colorado.
The embattled Channel Nine star, 44, looked tense as he wheeled his luggage through Sydney Airport on Friday morning alongside his wife Jasmine Yarbrough.
However, as soon as Karl caught sight of photographers, he flashed a huge smile across his face and seemed determined to project an image of happiness.
Honeymoon’s over! Karl Stefanovic looked tense while returning to Australia with his wife Jasmine Yarbrough on Friday morning – after being sacked from the Today show
Karl, who appeared to be in the early stages of a beard, dressed casually for the long-haul flight in a black T-shirt and denim jeans.
He wrapped a fleece around his shoulders and tucked a pair of designer sunglasses into the neckline of his top.
The father-of-three seemed to be doing most of the heavy lifting, pushing along several items of luggage while Jasmine, 34, rolled along a single suitcase.
Keeping it simple: Karl, who appeared to be in the early stages of a beard, dressed casually for the long-haul flight in a black T-shirt and denim jeans
That’s gotta hurt! Karl’s return to Australia comes after he was unceremoniously sacked from the Today show while on his honeymoon in Aspen, Colorado
Keeping up appearances? As soon as Karl caught sight of photographers, he flashed a huge smile across his face and seemed determined to project an image of happiness
Meanwhile, the shoe designer looked a little tired after her whirlwind honeymoon.
Jasmine wore minimal makeup for the journey and styled her blonde hair in a simple bun at the nape of her neck.
Her outfit consisted of a plain grey jumper and skintight leather trousers, which were perhaps not ideal for the hot Sydney weather.
What a rock! As she climbed into a waiting vehicle, the Mara & Mine co-founder flashed a rare glimpse of her wedding and engagement rings
She’s outta here! Looking rather strained due to the media attention, Jasmine swiftly closed the car door before the couple drove away
As she climbed into a waiting vehicle, the Mara & Mine co-founder flashed a rare glimpse of her wedding and engagement rings.
The custom-made rings, by Cerrone Jewellers, are believed to be made of 18ct rose gold and diamond.
Looking rather strained due to the media attention, Jasmine swiftly closed the car door before the couple drove away.
How chivalrous! The father-of-three seemed to be doing most of the heavy lifting, pushing along several items of luggage while Jasmine, 34, rolled along a single suitcase
Effortlessly chic: Jasmine’s outfit consisted of a plain grey jumper and skintight leather trousers, which were perhaps not ideal for the hot Sydney weather
Daddy cool! Karl wrapped a fleece around his shoulders and tucked a pair of designer sunglasses into the neckline of his top
There it is! Karl also showed off his rarely-seen wrist tattoo, which is an infinity symbol surrounded by a ‘J’ for Jasmine and a love heart
Pictured: A close-up view of the wrist tattoo Karl got last year as a tribute to his second wife
Meanwhile, Karl’s job prospects for when his Channel Nine contract ends in 2020 are looking bleak.
After being sacked from the Today show on Wednesday – on his honeymoon, no less – he still has a year left on his $3million deal with the network.
But should Nine choose not to renew the contract, Karl may have trouble finding employment at other TV stations.
Heavy lifting: Karl, who was wearing black sneakers with colourful shoe laces, lifted a heavy suitcase into the back of a waiting vehicle
Never mind the sacking! Karl wished photographers and journalists a ‘merry Christmas’ as he walked through the airport parking lot and loaded up his vehicle
You’ve still go it, Karl! At one stage, the former breakfast TV star pulled a goofy ‘finger guns’ pose for the paparazzi pack
Next stop… Centrelink? Meanwhile, Karl’s job prospects for when his Nine contract ends in 2020 are looking bleak, with Channel 10 and Seven claiming they have no interest in him
Nine’s commercial rivals have claimed they have no interest in the star.
In a withering statement from Channel 10, a spokesperson mocked Karl’s situation, suggesting he should try reality TV instead.
‘We are very happy with our current news and current affairs team,’ they said.
‘Obviously Karl is no longer available for The Bachelor, but if he wants to go to the jungle, put on his dancing shoes or strap on a MasterChef apron, he knows where to find us.’
Channel Seven is reportedly also not interested in hiring Karl, despite bidding for his services in late 2015.
Bad look: One possible reason TV networks are turned off by Karl is that he has reputation as a ‘celebrity’ anchor with a tabloid-bating personal life. Pictured with Jasmine Yarbrough on his wedding day in Los Cabos, Mexico on Saturday, December 8
One possible reason TV networks are turned off by Karl is that he has reputation as a ‘celebrity’ anchor with a tabloid-bating personal life.
It is understood that he and brother Peter – who was axed by Nine altogether earlier this week – were nicknamed ‘the Kardashian sisters of Willoughby’ at the station.
In an official network statement announcing his departure from Today on Wednesday, Karl said: ‘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.
‘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, it is rumoured the fallen breakfast TV star could be redeployed as Nine’s U.S. correspondent, where he would serve out the remainder of his contract.
Too demanding? Karl and his brother Peter – who was axed by Nine altogether earlier this week – were apparently nicknamed ‘the Kardashian sisters of Willoughby’ at the network
It comes after Nine sources claimed earlier this week that executives were ‘horrified’ by the coverage of Karl’s wedding to Jasmine in Mexico.
Senior management figures were particularly outraged by the fact ‘exclusive’ photos from the December 8 ceremony had been supplied to Who magazine.
While it’s understood there was no paid deal with the publication, higher-ups were upset that a rival outlet had been prioritised over Nine.
Image problem: Today’s ratings began a steep decline in 2016, after Karl left his wife-of-21-years Cassandra Thorburn (left) and began dating a younger woman, Jasmine, later that year
Today’s ratings began a steep decline in 2016, after Karl left his wife-of-21-years Cassandra Thorburn and began dating a younger woman, Jasmine, later that year.
Audience figures plunged to a 12-year low in September, and it’s believed network executives finally decided to axe Karl this week after his ‘over-the-top’ nuptials.
Nine insiders told The Australian that management had no choice but to sack the host, 44, due to the ‘crazy’ media headlines surrounding his personal life.
Meanwhile, according to the Herald Sun, Karl was ‘assured his job was safe’ before flying to Los Cabos for his four-day wedding at the start of the month.
He was apparently blindsided by the sacking, with a source claiming: ‘Karl had no idea – he left for Mexico thinking he would still be on Today. They told him face to face. They looked him in the eye. But the writing was on the wall.’
‘The last straw’: Today’s ratings plunged to a 12-year low in September, and it’s believed network executives finally decided to axe Karl this week after his ‘over-the-top’ nuptials