Sunrise host David ‘Kochie’ Koch ‘confirms’ Matt Shirvington is his replacement

David ‘Kochie’ Koch all but confirmed his replacement on Sunrise will be Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington with a cheeky comment on live radio on Friday.

The Sunrise anchor, 67, praised the athlete’s good looks on Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa Friday morning, saying his replacement would be ‘younger and better looking’.  

While he avoided revealing Shirvo’s name, there was no denying his praise was a nod to his handsome replacement, who will be officially revealed on Monday. 

Host Michael Wipfli tried to trick Kochie into confirming the former sprinter would be taking over the reigns as the new Sunrise co-host alongside Natalie Barr.

However, the long-time presenter wouldn’t bite as he instead said: ‘I can guarantee you this, that my replacement will be younger and better looking.’  

He then joked: ‘So I was going to say [Fitzy and Wippa] were both in the running but then I just had another look at you.’

It comes just a few days after Channel Seven insiders confirmed Shirvo will be crowned as Kochie’s successor after a three-year plan to prepare him for the top job. 

They revealed he will have his role made official on Monday, June 5, four days before Kochie films his final show as Sunrise host.

The Sunrise anchor praised the athlete’s (pictured) good looks on Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa Friday morning, saying his replacement would be ‘younger and better looking’

The new appointment follows a carefully curated training process for the popular television presenter who is widely liked by Seven’s top executives and viewers.

It’s understood Kochie himself has given Shirvo his ‘blessing’.

‘David believes Matt is a great fit and thinks he will do a fantastic job,’ an insider told Daily Mail Australia.

While he avoided revealing Shirvo’s name, there was no denying his praise was a nod to his handsome replacement, who will be officially revealed on Monday. Pictured with Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr 

‘He’s been filling in for David for a few years now and has earned his stripes. Viewers like him and he is very well-regarded internally so it’s a natural step up for him.’

Shirvo was earmarked for the job back in 2020 when he took part in Seven’s Olympic coverage team – a role he carried well in the delayed Games in 2021 and one that inevitably earned him his ‘hosting stripes’.

He also cut his teeth with hosting roles on the the mini-golf games show Holey Moley and Ultimate Tag which, while not a hit in the ratings, provided more evidence he had the ‘chops’ to handle a major format.

Shirvo, who has spent the past two years waiting in the wings as Sydney’s weekend sports presenter, will soon begin the daily 3am wake-up call slog – one of several factors which ultimately led to Kochie’s decision to step down after 21 years.

It comes just a few days after Channel Seven insiders confirmed Shirvo will be crowned as Kochie’s successor Monday, June 5, four days before Kochie films his final show on Sunrise