Sunrise star David Koch reveals the secret text message exchange he had with rival Karl Stefanovic

David Koch has revealed he received a ‘wonderful’ message from his breakfast show rival Karl Stefanovic after he announced he is leaving Sunrise on Monday.

The 67-year-old told his co-host Natalie Barr on Tuesday, how he had a text message exchange with Karl following news of his departure.

‘Thank you to everyone who has been so lovely. Unbelievable messages,’ Kochie said.

‘A wonderful, classy, respectful one from Karl Stefanovic. It was so nice, really adored that one but so many great messages.’

Koch also told Daily Mail Australia on Monday he received a text message from one from his longtime co-hosts Melissa Doyle.

‘I’ve just glanced, because I’ve got lots of messages, I saw one from Mel and I’m sure there will be a whole bunch of others in the list but I’ve been talking to lots of journos and doing interviews,’ he said.

Kochie stunned his colleagues on Monday when he announced his resignation from the hit breakfast show after 21 years.

Behind the scenes photos show his co-hosts Natalie Barr, Edwina Bartholomew and Mark Beretta overcome with emotion in between breaks in filming. 

During his on air announcement, Natalie looked heartbroken when Kochie said he had spent more time with her over the past few years than with members of his own family.

Koch revealed he received a ‘wonderful’ message from his breakfast show rival Karl (pictured) after he announced he’s leaving Sunrise

He said he was leaving the hit show to focus on his own businesses and to enjoy more flexible work hours to spend time with his growing family.

Koch joined Sunrise to present finance reports in 2002 and in October that year became Chris Reason’s replacement when the journalist was diagnosed with cancer. 

Not much was initially expected of Koch’s pairing with Doyle in the face of Today’s dominance. 

‘Remember when we started this, this was before Facebook,’ Koch said. ‘We were I think five per cent of the Today show’s audience at the time. 

‘No one watched it. No one cared about us. Seven executives didn’t care about us.

Kochie stunned his colleagues on Monday when he announced his resignation from the hit breakfast show after 21 years 

‘We started in a demountable office in the carpark at the studios at Epping. No one gave a toss.

‘And that was the secret for us because we were just very quietly able to try different things, make mistakes, and build a really loyal audience for which I’ll be forever grateful.’

Koch was proud to be going out a winner, with Sunrise still dominant. 

‘Everyone wants to do the best and have the best product that they possibly can,’ he said. ‘And I leave this job with enormous pride as well as gratitude for being involved in it.’

During his on air announcement, Natalie looked heartbroken when Kochie said he had spent more time with her over the past few years than with members of his own family