EXCLUSIVE: Sunrise’s new presenter is revealed by Channel Seven insiders – as David Koch leaves his top job
- Seven appoints Matt Shirvington as host on June 5th
- Shirvington is a favorite of the seven bosses
- David Koch will be stepping down as Sunrise presenter this week after 21 years
Australian track and field star Matt Shirvington will be crowned as David Koch’s successor at Sunrise on June 5 after embarking on a three-year plan to prepare him for the top spot.
Channel 7 insiders have confirmed that Shirvington, who has been seen as Koch’s likely successor since the Beijing Olympics, will officially announce his new role on Monday 5 June, four days before Koch’s last show as Sunrise presenter rotates.
The new appointment follows a carefully curated training process for the popular “Shirvo,” which is hugely popular with both Seven’s top executives and audiences.
Koch himself is believed to have given Shirvington his “blessing”.
“David thinks Matt is a great fit and thinks he’ll do a fantastic job,” a source told Chron Australia.
“He’s represented David for a couple of years and he’s earned his accolades.” The crowd like him and he’s well respected internally so it’s a natural step up for him.”
Olympic star Matt Shirvington will finally be named as David Koch’s successor on June 5th.
Shirvington has long been a replacement for Koch, who announced his plans to step down as Sunrise presenter on May 29
Shirvington is understood to have been slated for the job back in 2020 when he joined Seven’s Olympics coverage team – a role he performed well at the postponed 2021 games and which inevitably earned him his “hosting skills”. .
He’s also made a name for himself with hosting roles on the mini-golf shows Holey Moley and Ultimate Tag, which while it wasn’t a ratings success, was further proof that he had what it took, a big format to master.
Shirvington, who has been raring to go as a weekend sports presenter in Sydney for the past two years, will soon begin the daily 3am wake-up call – one of several factors that ultimately led to Koch’s decision to step down after 21 years.
The 67-year-old TV legend first shared the news of his decision with Sunrise viewers and staff during Monday morning’s broadcast.
Koch (with Sunrise guest Katy Perry) has given the former Australian sprint champion his ‘blessing’
Shirvington finished his athletics career in 2006 with five consecutive national 100m titles and five national top-3 finishes in the 200m
“I enjoyed every minute of my time at Sunrise,” Koch said on the air.
“I’ve been privileged to experience so many adventures, meet so many incredible people, and document so many moments of the story as it unfolds.”
Kerry Stokes, chairman of Seven West Media, said: “Personally, I will miss David as he is a thorough professional and a wonderful person, especially in the way he has mentored so many Seven people.”
James Warburton, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Seven West Media, added in a statement: “All good things come to an end and I admire and respect his decision to retire from Sunrise while he is at his best.”