Georgie Gardner talks to Karl Stefanovic on the Today show about her “tough” year
Georgie Gardner has opened up about her “tough” year alongside Karl Stefanovic before he was fired from the Today show in 2018.
The former Today show co-host told the It’s All Her podcast that Karl’s personal life overshadowed the breakfast program.
“I hosted Karl for a year, which was a lot of fun. But it was also a time in his private life when there was a lot going on,” said the 53-year-old.
“And there was a lot of noise. We were never able to get anywhere because there was always so much speculation about his personal life.
“It was really hard for him. And it was hard for us.’
Georgie Gardner has spoken about her “tough” year alongside Karl Stefanovic before his sacking from the Today show in 2018. Both in the picture
Gardner further explained that she had no reservations about Karl personally and that the two were friendly.
“We got along really well and really liked each other and actually had chemistry,” she said.
“Anyway, one thing led to another, he was removed from the show. “In fact, they kicked everyone out, which was very, very difficult for me.”
After months of speculation, Stefanovic was finally eliminated from the Today show in December 2018.
Channel Nine confirmed he would be parting ways with the breakfast show after almost 14 years in the role.
“I hosted Karl for a year, which was a lot of fun. But it was also a time in his private life when there was a lot going on,” said the 53-year-old
The start of the program’s downward spiral can be traced back to September 2016, when it was announced that Karl had separated from his wife and the mother of his three children, Cassandra Thorburn (left).
Rumors had been circulating for months that Karl was to be dropped from the Today show due to poor ratings caused by viewer dissatisfaction with his controversial personal life.
As a result, the Today show plummeted in ratings, falling to a 12-year low in recent months.
The beginning of the program’s downward spiral can be traced back to September 2016, when it was announced that Karl had separated from his wife and the mother of his three children, Cassandra Thorburn.
A few months after the breakup, Karl began dating former model and shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, ten years his junior.
Amid a barrage of negative headlines, Karl’s divorce, new marriage and attitude toward colleagues tarnished his public image.
A year later, it was announced that Karl would return as frontman of the Today show alongside Allison Langdon, and as of 2020 he remains at the helm.
Gardner further explained that she had no reservations about Karl personally and that the two were friendly. “We got along really well and really liked each other and actually had chemistry,” she said