Sunrise hosts mock rival Today show over Lisa Wilkinson

Lisa Wilkinson’s shock exit from Channel Nine’s Today show set tongues wagging across Australia on Monday.

And after years of network rivalries and ratings wars, it’s no surprise that Channel Seven TV hosts couldn’t resist taking a dig at the Today show fiasco.

Sunrise hosts David ‘Kochie’ Koch and Samantha Armytage were left in fits of laughter after Larry Emdur joked that his Morning Show co-host Kylie Gillies was away at a ‘secret meeting.’

Fits of laughter: Sunrise hosts David ‘Kochie’ Koch (3-L) and Samantha Armytage (2-L) were left in fits of laughter after Larry Emdur (2-R) joked that his Morning show co-host Kylie Gillies was absent due to a ‘secret meeting’

‘Where is Kylie [Gillies]?’ Kochie asked Larry and his fill-in co-host for the day Monique Wright.

Larry jokingly replied: ‘She has the day off.’

Co-host Monique added: ‘She has a secret meeting. That’s what she told me.’

Where is Kylie Gillies: After years of network rivalries and ratings wars with Channel Nine, it's no surprise that Channel Seven TV hosts couldn't resist taking a dig at the Today show fiasco

Where is Kylie Gillies: After years of network rivalries and ratings wars with Channel Nine, it’s no surprise that Channel Seven TV hosts couldn’t resist taking a dig at the Today show fiasco

'Secret meeting?' Monique Wright (R) joked that she was filling in for Kylie Gillies because she had a meeting with Channel Seven producers

‘Secret meeting?’ Monique Wright (R) joked that she was filling in for Kylie Gillies because she had a meeting with Channel Seven producers

Absent: Kylie Gillies normally hosts The Morning Show alongside Larry Emdur

Absent: Kylie Gillies normally hosts The Morning Show alongside Larry Emdur

Natalie Barr then appeared to take a dig at Lisa Wilkinson’s shock departure amid claims she abruptly left Channel Nine when contract negotiations broke down.

‘When did she tell you this? Before or after 5 o’clock last night?’ she said drawing laughter from her Sunrise panelists.

Larry replied: ‘We can’t confirm or deny anything, but she is off for the day.’ 

Can't help themselves: Earlier on Sunrise, Sam was seen bursting into laughter as Sam Mac and Kochie appeared to mock Lisa's exit

Can’t help themselves: Earlier on Sunrise, Sam was seen bursting into laughter as Sam Mac and Kochie appeared to mock Lisa’s exit

Earlier on Sunrise, Sam Armytage was seen bursting into laughter as Sam Mac and Kochie appeared to mock Lisa’s exit.

During a live cross, weather presenter Sam said iphone personal assistant Siri was available for hosting and ‘cheap.’

‘I am available for any breakfast TV hosting gigs,’ Siri could be heard saying.

Out: The mockery comes a day after it was revealed that Lisa had left Today to join Channel Ten's The Project 

Out: The mockery comes a day after it was revealed that Lisa had left Today to join Channel Ten’s The Project 

Sam went on to add: ‘How exciting is that? She’s officially putting her hand up to say if there’s gigs going in Australia, Siri could be our next co-host – She’s very talented and cheap.’

Sunrise’s Kochie interjected: ‘not here, down the road.’

The mockery comes a day after it was revealed that Lisa had left Today  to join Channel Ten’s The Project.

Parting words: Lisa shared an official statement from both the network and herself to Twitter

Parting words: Lisa shared an official statement from both the network and herself to Twitter

The 57-year-old made the announcement on Twitter on Monday night.

An official statement from the Nine Network said it was ‘unable to meet her expectations’ after the 57-year-old was alleged to have demanded equal pay with co-host Karl Stefanovic. 

Lisa made the announcement to Twitter on Monday: ‘I have some sad news. I’m sad to say that today was my last day on the Today show.’

Parting words: Lisa thanked her colleagues and the network in an official statement that read: 'I would particularly like to acknowledge my colleagues Karl, Sylvia, Georgie, Tim, Richard, Stevie and Natalia, as well as all the hard-working producers and the entire team behind the cameras'

Parting words: Lisa thanked her colleagues and the network in an official statement that read: ‘I would particularly like to acknowledge my colleagues Karl, Sylvia, Georgie, Tim, Richard, Stevie and Natalia, as well as all the hard-working producers and the entire team behind the cameras’

The veteran journalist, married to author Peter FitzSimons, posted an official statement from Channel Nine, that read: ‘Today Show are disappointed we find ourselves in this position.

‘Nine will be going in another direction and will be considering our options in the coming weeks and months.

‘Today Show is one of the biggest roles there is in television and requires an enormous commitment from its hosts. 

Switching networks: Network Ten released an official statement that Lisa would be joining in a senior editorial and hosting capacity, as of January 2018 

Switching networks: Network Ten released an official statement that Lisa would be joining in a senior editorial and hosting capacity, as of January 2018 

‘The partnership between Lisa and Karl has taken the show to the success it is today and we thank Lisa for everything she has done for the show and for Nine over the past 10 years. 

‘We all wish her well for the future,’ the statement on behalf of Nine CEO Hugh Marks concluded.

Lisa also thanked her colleagues and the network in an official statement that read: ‘I want to thank Channel Nine for the privilege of co-hosting the Today Show for the last ten years.

‘I would particularly like to acknowledge my colleagues Karl, Sylvia, Georgie, Tim, Richard, Stevie and Natalia, as well as all the hard-working producers and the entire team behind the cameras.’ 

Network Ten released an official statement that said Lisa would be joining in a senior editorial and hosting capacity, as of January 2018.

The statement read: ‘Lisa will join the team of TEN’s award-winning news and current affairs program, The Project, in a hosting role. 

The statement read: 'She (Lisa) will work alongside The Project's hosts Carrie Bickmore (pictured), Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar, as well as hosting The Sunday Project'

The statement read: ‘She (Lisa) will work alongside The Project’s hosts Carrie Bickmore (pictured), Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar, as well as hosting The Sunday Project’

Thrilled: Lisa took to Twitter, thanking the public for their 'lovely messages': 'Thanks so much to everyone for all your lovely messages. I have some more news. This statement is from @channelten. I'm absolutely thrilled'

Thrilled: Lisa took to Twitter, thanking the public for their ‘lovely messages’: ‘Thanks so much to everyone for all your lovely messages. I have some more news. This statement is from @channelten. I’m absolutely thrilled’

‘She will work alongside The Project’s hosts Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar, as well as hosting The Sunday Project.

‘Further collaborations between Lisa and Network Ten will be announced in the coming months.’ 

Lisa took to Twitter, thanking the public for their ‘lovely messages.’

Well wishes: Lisa's Today show colleague Ben Fordham, 40, shared to Twitter: 'Congratulations @Lisa_Wilkinson for a decade of success at Channel 9. I've loved working alongside you. Good luck with the next chapter'

Well wishes: Lisa’s Today show colleague Ben Fordham, 40, shared to Twitter: ‘Congratulations @Lisa_Wilkinson for a decade of success at Channel 9. I’ve loved working alongside you. Good luck with the next chapter’

Praise: Lisa's daughter Billi FitzSimons also took to Instagram, sharing a photo with her famous mother, along with the caption: 'Thank you, Mum, for paving the way for the next generation and every generation to come'

Praise: Lisa’s daughter Billi FitzSimons also took to Instagram, sharing a photo with her famous mother, along with the caption: ‘Thank you, Mum, for paving the way for the next generation and every generation to come’

'That's my Missus': Lisa's husband Peter FitzSimons commended his wife on her new television role 

‘That’s my Missus’: Lisa’s husband Peter FitzSimons commended his wife on her new television role 

'Class act': Channel Seven's Sally Obermeder praised Lisa in a comment on the journalist's Instagram post: 'You are a class act through and through. Congratulations on all that you have achieved. You should be so proud,' alongside two love heart emojis 

‘Class act’: Channel Seven’s Sally Obermeder praised Lisa in a comment on the journalist’s Instagram post: ‘You are a class act through and through. Congratulations on all that you have achieved. You should be so proud,’ alongside two love heart emojis 

‘Thanks so much to everyone for all your lovely messages. I have some more news. This statement is from @channelten. I’m absolutely thrilled.’ 

Lisa’s Today show colleague Ben Fordham was one of the very first to send their well-wishes.

The 40-year-old sports presenter shared to Twitter: ‘Congratulations @Lisa_Wilkinson for a decade of success at Channel 9. I’ve loved working alongside you. Good luck with the next chapter.’

Reports: Lisa's announcement comes just a day after an explosive report claimed her contract negotiations with Nine had been 'stalled.' The Sunday Telegraph alleged that Lisa was holding out on re-signing until she was granted 'pay parity' with co-host Karl Stefanovic, 43 

Reports: Lisa’s announcement comes just a day after an explosive report claimed her contract negotiations with Nine had been ‘stalled.’ The Sunday Telegraph alleged that Lisa was holding out on re-signing until she was granted ‘pay parity’ with co-host Karl Stefanovic, 43 

Lisa’s daughter Billi FitzSimons also took to Instagram, sharing a photo with her famous mother, along with the caption: ‘Thank you, Mum, for paving the way for the next generation and every generation to come. 

‘You are a leader and an inspiration for so many tonight. I can’t wait to see you at the breakfast table tomorrow morning.’ 

Husband Peter FitzSimons commended his wife on Twitter, posting: ‘That’s my Missus. Got a new job in 45 mins!’

Claims: It was suggested the reason Lisa wanted the same money as Karl, was because he was 'rumoured to be on twice as much'

Claims: It was suggested the reason Lisa wanted the same money as Karl, was because he was ‘rumoured to be on twice as much’

Contract: The publication estimated Karl's three-year deal, which was inked by his friend and former Nine CEO David Gygnell, to be worth up to '$6 million'

Contract: The publication estimated Karl’s three-year deal, which was inked by his friend and former Nine CEO David Gygnell, to be worth up to ‘$6 million’

Familiar faces: Both Lisa and Karl have appeared as Today show co-hosts together since 2007

Familiar faces: Both Lisa and Karl have appeared as Today show co-hosts together since 2007

Lisa’s announcement comes just a day after an explosive report claimed her contract negotiations with Nine had been ‘stalled.’

The Sunday Telegraph alleged that Lisa was holding out on re-signing until she was granted ‘pay parity’ with co-host Karl Stefanovic, 43.

It was suggested the reason Lisa wanted the same money as Karl, was because he was ‘rumoured to be on twice as much.’

The Australian reported that Karl earns at least $2 million a year, in a three-year contract with a potential bonus that could take his salary to $3 million if ratings are hit.  

End of an era: Lisa took on a co-hosting role on the Today show in 2007

End of an era: Lisa took on a co-hosting role on the Today show in 2007

Lisa was also was said by The Daily Telegraph to have been on a $1.1 million a year contract, with Nine only willing to increase the amount to $1.8 million.

The amount was claimed to have not been enough for her to stay with the network.

In May this year, Lisa told ABC’s The Weekly with Charlie Pickering that she has ‘no idea’ what salary Karl is on.

She told the host: ‘I have no idea what Karl’s on, just as he has no idea what I’m on.

‘I can put my hand on my heart and say I have no idea what Karl is paid, and he has no idea what I’m paid.

Earlier confession: In May this year, Lisa told ABC's The Weekly with Charlie Pickering that she has 'no idea' what salary Karl is on: 'I can put my hand on my heart and say I have no idea what Karl is paid, and he has no idea what I'm paid. Besides, I do it out of love, anyway'

Earlier confession: In May this year, Lisa told ABC’s The Weekly with Charlie Pickering that she has ‘no idea’ what salary Karl is on: ‘I can put my hand on my heart and say I have no idea what Karl is paid, and he has no idea what I’m paid. Besides, I do it out of love, anyway’

‘Besides, I do it out of love, anyway,’ Lisa concluded. 

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford took to Twitter after the shock announcements, suggesting that Lisa was ‘willing to go on air’ on Tuesday.

He Tweeted: ‘@Lisa_Wilkinson was willing to go on air tomorrow. I have no doubt she would have been 100% professional. The network said ‘NO you’re out.’

Online claims: Entertainment reporter Peter Ford took to Twitter after the shock announcements, suggesting that Lisa was 'willing to go on air' on Tuesday: '@Lisa_Wilkinson was willing to go on air tomorrow. I have no doubt she would have been 100% professional. The network said 'NO you're out'

Online claims: Entertainment reporter Peter Ford took to Twitter after the shock announcements, suggesting that Lisa was ‘willing to go on air’ on Tuesday: ‘@Lisa_Wilkinson was willing to go on air tomorrow. I have no doubt she would have been 100% professional. The network said ‘NO you’re out’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk