Peter Stefanovic has been spotted in public for the first time since being sacked by Channel Nine as part of a rumoured ‘cost-reduction’ strategy.
The former Weekend Today host, 37, appeared dishevelled and unshaven as he went shopping at a Coles supermarket in Brisbane on Thursday.
He was joined by his wife Sylvia Jeffreys, whose own future at the network is looking uncertain amid speculation she is being downgraded to a weather presenter.
Shopping for a new job? Peter Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys looked strained during a trip to Coles in Brisbane on Thursday – after the Weekend Today host was sacked from Channel Nine
Peter dressed casually for the shopping trip in a blue shirt, which he left partially unbuttoned, and a pair of green shorts and matching loafers.
He was seen carrying a Coles shopping bag while waiting in the supermarket’s car park for the valet to arrive.
Sylvia, 32, wore a full-length beige dress with Greek sandals and concealed her gaze behind designer sunglasses.
VIP treatment: Peter and Sylvia were seen carrying shopping bags while waiting in the supermarket’s car park for the valet to arrive
The sighting comes after reports the couple – who were once nicknamed the ‘Harry and Meghan of Channel Nine’ – had gone ‘into hiding’ in Brisbane.
They flew directly into the city from the US on Monday, just a day before the network announced it would not be renewing Peter’s contract in 2019.
The previous week has seen them attend Karl Stefanovic’s lavish wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough in Mexico, before they jetted to Los Angeles for a family holiday.
Show of support: After noticing photographers, Sylvia reached out to touch Peter’s arm
Keeping it simple: Peter dressed casually for the shopping trip in a blue shirt, which he left partially unbuttoned, and a pair of green shorts and matching loafers
Putting on a united front: Sylvia appeared to force as smile as she reached for Peter’s hand
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the official reason for Peter’s departure from Channel Nine was that he ‘decided to explore new opportunities’.
A spokesperson said: ‘Peter has decided to explore new opportunities and is looking forward to spending weekends with his wife, Sylvia Jeffreys.
‘He has been a respected member of the Nine News team and Weekend Today, and we wish him all the best for the future.’
Shady lady: Sylvia, 32, wore a full-length beige dress and concealed her gaze behind designer sunglasses
Peter added that it had been a ‘privilege’ to work at Channel Nine for over a decade.
‘I’ve had an amazing time at Nine being a foreign correspondent, News reporter and covering some amazing stories for 60 Minutes,’ he said.
‘I’ll miss my friends at Nine very much, it has been a huge privilege to work alongside so many great people.’
However, it later emerged the network made a ‘costs-based decision’ after the former foreign correspondent reached the end of his contract.
Rumours have also circulating that Peter’s sacking was ‘retribution’ for his involvement in the so-called Ubergate scandal.
In March, Peter and his brother Karl made headlines after their private phone conversation in a taxi was leaked to New Idea magazine.
During the conversation, Peter complained about his role on Weekend Today and the Stefanovic brothers also criticised Nine staffers and executives.
‘I hate working news, I’m dying on the inside and it makes me feel horrible,’ the Uber driver allegedly overheard Peter telling his older brother.
‘The life is draining out of me. I’m so much better than this and can do so much more, it’s the worst four days each week and I should be doing more.’
Tuesday’s confirmation followed weeks of speculation – and repeated denials from Nine – that Peter was about the leave the network after 15 years.
Leggy lady: Sylvia completed her stylish ensemble with a pair of Greek sandals
Meanwhile, Sylvia’s own future at Channel Nine is also looking uncertain.
As part of a staff’shake-up’, it is believed she will be replaced by Tracy Vo as Today’s newsreader and relegated to weather presenter.
Daily Mail Australia understands the program’s bosses have been concerned Sylvia and co-anchor Georgie Gardner are ‘too similar’.
However, the network has publicly backed Sylvia in a statement issued to the media on Wednesday afternoon.
Darren Wick, Nine’s Director of News and Currents Affairs, said: ‘Sylvia Jeffreys is a huge part of Nine’s plans for 2019 and beyond.
‘She is contracted with Nine until the end of 2020. Any reports or speculation that she is leaving Nine are incorrect.
‘She is a gifted, hard-working journalist and presenter and we look forward to continuing to work with her.’
However, news of Peter and Sylvia’s futures at Channel Nine were overshadowed by confirmation on Wednesday that Karl Stefanovic had been sacked as Today host after 14 years in the role.
In an official network statement announcing his departure, 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.’
The controversial TV presenter still has 12 months left on his $3million contract.
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 – fashion designer Jasmine Yarbrough – later that year.
Audience figures plunged to a 12-year low in September, and it’s understood network executives finally decided to axe Karl this week after his ‘over-the-top’ wedding to Yarbrough, 34, in Mexico on December 8.
Channel 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.
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.’