Mark Beretta hits back at claims David ‘Kochie’ Koch, 67, was ‘forced out’ of his Sunrise hosting gig as ‘his time was coming to an end’: ‘That’s absolute BS!’
Mark Beretta has fired up over ‘mad’ claims his Sunrise co-star David ‘Kochie’ Koch was ‘forced out’ of his job to make way for new host Matt Shirvington.
The sports reporter, 56, said the rumours were ‘absolute BS’.
Over the weekend The Daily Telegraph reported Kochie’s time on the top-rating breakfast show was ‘coming to an end’.
‘He signed a contract knowing it included a clause that stated he would depart the Sunrise chair by ”no later than June”, so he knew his time was coming to an end,’ an ‘insider’ allegedly told the publication.
Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, Beretta said: ‘That’s absolute BS, it just didn’t play like that, and Seven, after all this time, wouldn’t do that to him.’
Mark Beretta has fired up and hit out at claims his Sunrise co-star David ‘Kochie’ Koch was ‘forced out’ of his job. The sports reporter, 56, said the rumours were ‘absolute BS’ while speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle on Tuesday
‘The reality is [Kochie] is a great performer and while he’s there, the show is number one, so that’s madness.’
He added: ‘No one pushes out someone who’s got a number-one rating show. That really annoyed me.’
He said Kochie called him privately on the Sunday before he confirmed the news live on-air the following day.
The Daily Telegraph had reported that Kochie’s time on the top-rating breakfast show was ‘coming to an end’. ‘He signed a contract knowing it included a clause that stated he would depart the Sunrise chair by ”no later than June”, so he knew his time was coming to an end,’ an insider allegedly told the publication
He went on to describe the media veteran as ‘the ultimate mentor’ and a ‘ripping bloke’.
Kochie revealed he was leaving Sunrise last Monday after 21 years in the top job.
His final show will be on Friday and Matt will be taking over the reins as Sunrise co-host next Monday alongside Natalie Barr, 55.
He went on to describe the media veteran as ‘the ultimate mentor’ and a ‘ripping bloke’. Kochie revealed he was leaving Sunrise on Monday, after 21 years in the top job
Shirvington, 44, said he was feeling ‘mixed emotions’ about the new gig as he joined Barr and Koch on the couch for the announcement.
‘Just amazing. Daunted. So excited. Happy. Cannot tell you the honour and privilege this is, Kochie, particularly. A huge job. A huge job. And an exciting job,’ he said.
Both Kochie and Barr said they were thrilled with the choice.
‘What we do always is when you’re a member of the family, you stay a member of the family, don’t you. And you come through. And you’ve been fantastic filling in and every Friday, it’s been sensational. You are going to been sensational. You are going to be the perfect fit,’ Koch said.
‘I have loved every single minute of my time at Sunrise,’ Koch said on air about his resignation.
His final show will be on Friday and Matt Shirvington will be taking on the gig as Sunrise co-host on Monday alongside Natalie Barr, 55
‘I’ve been privileged to experience so many adventures, to meet so many incredible people, and to cover so many moments of history in the making.’
Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes said: ‘I will personally miss David, as he is a thorough professional and a wonderful human being, particularly in the manner he has mentored so many Seven people.’
Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer James Warburton added in a statement: ‘All good things come to an end, and I admire and respect his decision to step away from Sunrise while he’s at the top of his game.’
‘I have loved every single minute of my time at Sunrise,’ Koch said on air about his resignation
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