For weeks it’s been rumoured that Karl Stefanovic may return to hosting the Today show as the program continues to suffer dismal ratings following his axing.
And the embattled Channel Nine star certainly made a welcome return to the spotlight when he attended the 2019 Logie Awards on Sunday night.
The 44-year-old embraced his former co-hosts Richard Wilkins and Sylvia Jeffreys as he walked the red carpet with his longtime manager, Sharon Finnigan.
He’s BACK! Karl Stefanovic was interviewed by his former Channel Nine colleague Richard Wilkins at the Logie Awards for the Today show on Sunday
So good to see you! The pair also embraced on the red carpet
The two men were immensely friendly, with Karl throwing his arms around his former colleague.
Richard didn’t hold back, giving the former TV star a passionate kiss on the cheek.
And on the red carpet, Karl told Daily Mail Australia there was ‘no awkwardness’ and he was delighted to see his former co-stars.
‘I haven’t seen them yet, but I am looking forward to it,’ he said. ‘I’ve seen Georgie [Gardner] just over in the distance. I am going to go say hello.
Pucker up! Richard planted a very warm kiss on his former colleague
‘I am looking forward to seeing them all. It will be great to catch up. That’s what this night’s all about,’ he added.
He added that there is ‘zero [awkwardness]. Zero. We love it. We love it’.
Karl’s manager, Sharon Finnigan, hung close to her client, with a gentle arm on his back, and led him around to do interviews.
Eyeing a return? It comes after it was reported earlier this month that Karl is in ‘secret negotiations’ with Nine to return to Today after being dramatically dumped from the show
Soon? Woman’s Day magazine alleged that Karl could jump into the hosting seat once again and that he’s in secret negotiations after being dramatically dumped in December
It comes after it was reported earlier this month that Karl is in ‘secret negotiations’ with Nine to return to Today after being dramatically dumped from the breakfast program in December.
Woman’s Day magazine alleged that Karl could jump into the hosting seat once again and that he’s in secret negotiations.
‘Of course Nine are denying it, but it’s 100 per cent correct that they are actively chasing Karl to come back – everyone at the network knows Today needs the TV version of open-heart surgery to even survive,’ a ‘source’ told the publication.
A firm hand: Karl’s manager, Sharon Finnigan, hung close to her client
All smiles: Karl seemed immensely relaxed on the red carpet and beamed for cameras
Over here Karl: With a gentle arm on his back, she led him around
Chat: The former Today show host seemed happy to do interviews
The insider added that Karl’s return to the ailing Today show is conditional on his ‘admitting defeat’ and to ‘publicly acknowledge he had to leave because of personal issues’.
However, a representative for Channel Nine denied Karl would be going back to Today, telling Daily Mail Australia: ‘He’s not going back on [the] Today show.’
Karl was dramatically dumped from his role at the Today show in December, while on his honeymoon with Jasmine Yarbrough, now Jasmine Stefanovic.
Out: Karl was dramatically dumped from his role at the Today show in December. Pictured with former co-host Lisa Wilkinson
Moving on: Karl was informed of his sacking while on his honeymoon with Jasmine Yarbrough, now Jasmine Stefanovic. Pictured on their wedding day
The departure followed a ratings slump at the breakfast program, and Karl’s struggling popularity with female viewers after his split
It also followed the ‘Ubergate’ scandal where an Uber driver transporting Peter Stefanovic revealed details of an alleged conversation the TV journalist had had while on speakerphone with brother Karl.
After selling his story to New Idea magazine, the driver claimed Karl had been criticising his then Today co-host Georgie Gardner, 49, during the private conversation.
Drama: It also followed the ‘Ubergate’ scandal where an Uber driver transporting Peter Stefanovic (right) revealed details of an alleged conversation the TV journalist had had while on speakerphone with brother Karl
However since Karl’s exit, the one-time leading morning program has struggled since launching its all female lineup in January.
New co-hosts Georgie Gardner, 49, and Deb Knight, 46, as well as Tom Steinfort, 35, who was recently promoted to the anchor desk, have struggled to connect with viewers.
The Australian recently reported that network bosses are said to be planning another ‘shake-up’ in light of low ratings.
‘Today’s hosting duo Deb Knight and Georgie Gardner will effectively become a trio,’ the newspaper alleged.
No go? Since Karl’s exit, the one-time leading morning program has struggled since launching its all female lineup in January. New co-hosts Georgie Gardner, 49, and Deb Knight, 46, (both pictured) have struggled to connect with viewers