‘We almost eloped because of my surname’: Peter Stefanovic speaks about life with Sylvia Jeffreys

Being a Stefanovic these days comes at a high price, according to Channel Nine journalist Peter Stefanovic.

Speaking on News Ltd’s podcast Balls Deep on Wednesday, Peter, 36, said that the intense scrutiny of his private life nearly led to he and wife Sylvia Jeffreys eloping in 2017.

‘We did think about it when we realised there might be potentially a drone involved [at the wedding],’ the Weekend Today host said.

Peter said that he and Sylvia, 32, have been hounded by paparazzi, especially since his brother Karl Stefanovic, 43, started dating shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, 34.

‘Sylvia and I were driving to take her wedding dress back to get drycleaned and there was four or five cars following us,’ Peter said on the podcast.

He also said that Sylvia doesn’t go to the beach anymore as a result of their public exposure.

‘We did think about eloping when we realised there might be potentially a drone involved [at the wedding],’ Weekend Today host Peter said

Watched: ‘Sylvia and I were driving to take her wedding dress back to get drycleaned and there was four or five cars following us,’ Peter said

‘And I don’t like going because she’s not there,’ Peter added.

Recently, Sylvia and Jasmine lashed out at allegations published by women’s magazines that their relationships are under strain.

Taking to Instagram, Sylvia claimed a New Idea report that her marriage to Peter Stefanovic was struggling following the Ubergate scandal was ‘fabricated.’

Family: Peter Stefanovic (R) is the younger brother of Today host Karl (L)

Pap favourite: Today’s Sylvia Jeffreys (pictured) avoids the beach due to paparazzi, her husband Peter has revealed

Jasmine later commented below the post that her wedding to Karl Stefanovic was also ‘apparently off’ – referring to a similar report by Woman’s Day – and jokingly suggested they should ‘move in together.’

Sylvia captioned a photo of New Idea’s report: ‘Today’s offering from the “Fabricated Stories Based on Unflattering Paparazzi Photos” file. Why no byline?’

Minutes later, Jasmine replied: ‘Hahaha it’s just so bad! Don’t worry love. Our marriage is apparently off as well. Maybe we should move in together?’ 

In the spotlight: Today show co-host Karl gained intense media scrutiny after he starting dating shoe designer Yasmin Yarbrough