Peter Stefanovic’s departure from the Nine network was officially announced last Tuesday, after weeks of speculation and denials.
However, the dropped Channel Nine identity, 37, appears to have made a brief comeback less than one week after the network confirmed news of his exit on December 18.
The former Weekend Today host, who is said to be ‘out of contract with his employer at the end of the month’ appeared on Nine’s 6pm Sydney news bulletin on Sunday.
The Channel Nine journalist, who is likely fulfilling his contractual obligations in the Nine newsroom until the end of December, filed a story regarding ‘canine cops’ (detection dogs) who have been trained to search for undeclared money at the airport.
While the television news package aired on December 23, it is unknown when the item was originally filmed.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Channel Nine for comment regarding the matter.
Peter’s appearance comes after The Daily Telegraph reported last week the Weekend Today host ‘will be out of contract with his employer Nine at the end of the month’.
He’s still there? Peter (pictured) appeared on Channel Nine’s 6pm news bulletin just days after he was dropped by the network…as Today show ‘bloodbath’ continues
The report quoted an unnamed industry source saying: ‘Nine has dropped Peter Stefanovic from hosting Weekend Today and he’s going back to the newsroom.’
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia last Tuesday, a spokesperson confirmed that Peter, who hosts Weekend Today, would not return to the network.
‘Peter has decided to explore new opportunities and is looking forward to spending weekends with his wife,’ the statement read.
‘He has been a respected member of the Nine News team and Weekend Today, and we wish him all the best for the future.’
The Ghost of Christmas past? The Channel Nine journalist, who is likely fulfilling his contractual obligations in the Nine newsroom until the end of December filed a story regarding ‘canine cops’ (detection dogs) who have been trained to search for undeclared money at the airport
Peter was at Nine for 15 years and revealed he was leaving the network all together.
Peter told Daily Mail Australia that it has 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.’
‘Peter has decided to explore new opportunities’: In a statement to Daily Mail Australia (last)Tuesday, a spokesperson confirmed that Peter (left) who hosts Weekend Today, would not return to the network
Once Peter’s departure was announced it was suspected that his wife, Sylvia Jeffreys, would follow.
On Saturday, the Today show newsreader, who is married to Peter confirmed she will be leaving the breakfast television program, but staying on at Channel Nine.
In a statement to Nine Honey, the TV personality insisted that she is ‘excited’ by the new challenge, having first made her debut on Today in 2014.
She’s OUT! Sylvia Jeffreys (pictured) confirms she is leaving the Today show as Channel Nine’s ‘bloodbath’ continues with claims sports reporter Tim Gilbert is also on the chopping block… after the departures of Peter and Karl Stefanovic and Richard Wilkins
‘I’ve loved and embraced every minute of my TODAY show chapter and feel humbled to have worked with so many passionate people – hosts, studio crew, cameramen and producers – who have become my great mates,’ the statement began.
She added: ‘There are few shows that are fortunate to have such an engaged audience, and I thank our viewers for inviting me into their homes day after day.’
‘I’m thrilled to sink my teeth into a brand new project. Opportunity often knocks when you least expect it and I’m ready to dive right in to what’s ahead of me.’
Moving on: In a statement, the TV personality insisted that she is ‘excited’ by the new challenge, having first made her debut on Today in 2014
Also out: It comes after a week of feverish speculation as to Sylvia’s future at Today after the axing of her husband, Peter Stefanovic (left) from the Weekend Today show
Darren Wick, Nine’s National Director of News and Current Affairs, told Nine Honey in a statement: ‘Sylvia has done a great job on Today, and while the team there will miss her, she’s about to embark on an exciting new challenge. Watch this space in 2019.’
The Daily Telegraph reported that Sylvia will be going into ‘prime time,’ after her Today stint.
Peter Ford alleged on Monday that Sylvia will be replaced by Tracy Vo, a presenter with Nine’s Perth news team.
New blood: Peter Ford alleged on Monday that Sylvia will be replaced by Tracy Vo (pictured) a presenter with Nine’s Perth news team
Out: It was confirmed (last) Tuesday that Peter is leaving Channel Nine, after 15 years in the job
After months of speculation and just a day after his younger brother Peter’s departure was confirmed, Karl Stefanovic was dumped from the Today show on Wednesday December 19.
The news was announced on Wednesday, with Channel Nine confirming that the 44-year-old was parting ways with the breakfast program after 14 years in the role.
‘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,’ Karl said in a statement.
‘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.’
Karl sounded surprisingly optimistic speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Friday, revealing he was ‘excited’ to see what was next after his exit from The Today show.
Gone: After months of speculation and just a day after his younger brother Peter’s departure was confirmed, Karl Stefanovic (left) was dumped from the Today show. Pictured with former Today co-host Georgie Gardner
New face? Tipped to replace Karl is Brenton Ragless (pictured) an Adelaide newsreader who has been filling in on the show over the summer non-ratings period
The heads didn’t stop rolling there, with confirmation Richard ‘Dickie’ Wilkins is being demoted from the Today show with former Triple J newsreader Brooke Boney taking on his entertainment reporter role.
Brooke, who is an Indigenous Australian, will join Channel Nine’s breakfast show as an entertainment correspondent in 2019.
Meanwhile, Richard – who spent almost 25 years in the role – will be redeployed to second-tier show Today Extra but remain the entertainment editor at Nine.
Also gone! The heads didn’t stop rolling there, with confirmation Richard ‘Dickie’ Wilkins (left) is being demoted from the Today show
Replacement: Former Triple J newsreader Brooke Boney (pictured) taking on Richard’s role. Brooke will join Channel Nine’s breakfast show as an entertainment correspondent in 2019
Claims persisted on Friday and Saturday meanwhile, that Channel Nine is continuing to axe even further Today show staff, with sports reporter Tim Gilbert believed another casualty after 12 years at the network.
The publication alleges an executive is claimed to have said of Chanel Nine: ‘It is a bloodbath in there’.
However in a statement to Daily Mail Australia, a Channel Nine representative chose not to confirm or deny Tim’s departure, and instead said the finalised line-up of the Today show for 2019 would be released within the next few weeks.
The shake-up began with Today’s executive producer Mark Calvert, who parted ways with the program on December 5.
Him too? Claims persisted on Friday and Saturday that Channel Nine is continuing to axe even further Today show staff, with sports reporter Tim Gilbert (pictured) believed another casualty after 12 years at the network
First to go: The shake-up began with Today’s executive producer Mark Calvert (right) who parted ways with the program on December 5