The Cheap Seats host Tim McDonald cracks crude joke at David Koch leaving Sunrise

Tim McDonald made a shocking joke at the expense of Sunrise host David ‘Kochie’ Koch on Tuesday night’s episode of The Cheap Seats. 

The Channel Ten host, 29, was reporting on Matt Shirvington, 44, replacing the long-time breakfast anchor after 21 years.

He then cut to footage of the former Olympian revealing why he was looking forward to taking helm of one of the coveted roles in television. 

‘The thing I love the most is sitting on [the Sunrise] couch and going from complete elation and excitement and happiness with some of the stories you hear about – to the heartbreak, and the horror and the sadness and wiping a tear from your eye,’ Shirvo is heard saying in the footage. 

Following the clip, co-host Melanie Bracewell was left in stitches.

‘It’s all bit of fun, but my favourite part is the horrors,’ said Bracewell, clearly mocking Shirvo’s heartfelt praise. 

Then McDonald took the gag to a whole new level, appearing to take a swipe at both Shirvo and David Koch, 67. 

‘Good luck to Shirvo. He’s replacing Kochie. That’s a big coffin to fill. Well done. All the best,’ he added. 

Bracewell was left gobsmacked by her colleague’s comment, falling into a nervous fit of laughter. 

The crude joke came just hours after Kochie and Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr were spotted having a handover lunch with Shirvo. 

‘Good luck to Shirvo. He’s replacing Kochie. That’s a big coffin to fill. Well done. All the best,’ said The Cheap Seats host Tim McDonald. Pictured alongside co-host Melanie Bracewell

As the Olympic sprinter prepares to front Australia’s No. 1 breakfast show, the trio eschewed a boisterous farewell bash in favour of a quiet lunch at Tapavino restaurant in Barangaroo – three days before Kochie’s scheduled last day on air.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Shirvo shared the advice Kochie had given him before taking on the top job.

He also addressed reports he is earning a salary of just half what his predecessor was on, despite Kochie only working a four-day week during his last years on Sunrise.

‘Kochie said the two nicest things, which were: “You’re going to have the time of your life, and you’re a great fit for the role,”‘ Shirvo said.

The father-of-three was formally announced as Kochie’s replacement on Monday – almost a week after Daily Mail Australia first reported the promotion.

The group enjoyed a long lunch at the Spanish eatery, raising a toast over pints of beer while enjoying plates of tapas.

Bracewell was left gobsmacked by McDonald’s comment, falling into a nervous fit of laughter. Both pictured 

The three left the restaurant together, exchanging hugs and kisses before Kochie and Barr entered a taxi together and Shirvo walked to his car.

Despite dedicating much of his post-athletics media career to the Seven Network, Shirvo’s salary is far less than Kochie’s rumoured $1.5 million-a-year pay packet – which he negotiated in addition to a lighter Monday-to-Thursday schedule.

Instead, he is understood to have signed an initial $400,000-a-year salary agreement with the network – subject to an increase come ratings time.

When asked if he thought his pay was low for such a demanding and high-profile job, Shirvo said: ‘I don’t really know. I’m just happy in the role.’

The crude joke came just hours after Kochie and Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr were spotted having a handover lunch with Shirvo (pictured)