His private life has been gossip magazine fodder ever since splitting with his wife-of-21-years Cassandra Thorburn in 2016.
And on Wednesday, Today host Karl Stefanovic, 43, lashed out at Woman’s Day and other Australian gossip magazines for publishing lies.
The Channel Nine star appeared riled up during a segment discussing Rebel Wilson’s $4.1 million defamation payout being overturned.
Ouch! Today host Karl Stefanovic took a swipe at Woman’s Day for publishing lies on Thursday after Rebel Wilson’s $4.1million defamation payout was overturned
Celebrating early: Rebel has been forced to pay back $3.9million of her $4.1million payout by Bauer Media, after the damages bill was reduced on appeal. Pictured in 2017
Australian actress Rebel has been forced to pay back $3.9million of her $4.1million payout by Bauer Media, after the damages bill was reduced on appeal.
Today’s legal expert Sam Macedone claimed that, while the appeal resulted in an unfavourable outcome for Rebel, her initial legal victory set a precedent for others to claim defamation and receive damages.
However, Karl appeared less than impressed.
‘Magazines can be wrong, but it doesn’t mean they’re defaming’: Karl appeared to complain about the content published by Australian gossip magazines. Pictured in October 2017
Appearing to speak from experience, he said: ‘I was told there is a clear line, magazines can be wrong, but it doesn’t mean they’re defaming.’
His co-host Georgie Gardner added, ‘Try figure that out’, to which Karl responded: ‘I’m trying.’
In 2017, Karl spoke bitterly about the media interest in his private life, telling Stellar he was shocked at ‘betrayals’ of his own family and friends who had shared personal details with the press.
The claws are out! While reporting on Rebel’s case for A Current Affair back in 2017, Karl said, ‘I for one will not be losing any sleep over that defamation judgement’
Karl debuted his relationship with former model-turned-shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough last year, after they met during a Sydney yacht party in late 2016.
The couple announced their engagement earlier this year.
‘When it first happened, it was so intense I was frightened to go outside. I don’t mean that in an unmanly way, but I can’t stand that kind of attention,’ he said at the time.
‘It was so intense I was frightened to go outside’: In 2017, Karl spoke bitterly about the media interest in his private life, telling Stellar he was shocked at ‘betrayals’ of his own family and friends who had shared personal details with the press. Pictured with Jasmine Yarbrough
While reporting on Rebel’s case for A Current Affair back in 2017, Karl said: ‘I for one will not be losing any sleep over that defamation judgement.’
He continued: ‘The material inside that magazine can bear little resemblance to the truth… So I reckon treat it the way it should be – like a Mills & Boon, just not as good.’
Earlier that year, he also slammed the media for its non-stop coverage of Schapelle Corby’s return to Australia, despite also covering the news event on Today.
In happier times: Karl is pictured with his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn in May 2011