Following the news that Karl Stefanovic is set to be reinstated at the helm of the Today show next year, current host Georgie Gardner was noticeably absent from Monday morning’s show – and it was left to Deb Knight to explain why she was missing.
WATCH Deb Knight’s awkward explanation below
Along with fellow remaining presenter Tom Steinfort, Deb wasted no time this morning addressing – somewhat awkwardly – Georgie’s sudden departure.
“We wanted to acknowledge our colleague and friend Georgie Gardner,” Knight told viewers.
“You might have read over the weekend that Georgie has left the Today show. After a really challenging year we want to wish Georgie all the very best.”
Steinfort continued: “She has been a committed and passionate member of the team here. I think particularly when she’s been sharing the stories of every day Australians who are doing it tough; these are issues that she wanted to focus on.
“She has always been a woman of strength here, a woman of class, and also who could forget very wicked sense of humour that would just pop up from time to time as well.”
And in a perhaps unintentionally patronising statement, Deb ended the explanation by saying that Georgie “gave it a red hot go.”
“For now though, Georgie is enjoying the time with her family, friends, taking Wilbur the dog (for a walk) and we look forward to seeing you on our screens again very soon.”
“Enjoy the sleep ins,” Steinfort joked.
Georgie and her husband Tim Barker were spotted taking their dog, Wilbur for a walk over the weekend, shortly after Karl confirmed he would be heading back to the Today show in 2020.
On Saturday, she told the Sydney Morning Herald that she was consulted two weeks ago about Today’s direction next year and said, “naturally I’m disappointed with the outcome.”
“I have no regrets, even though the scrutiny and public discourse has been daunting and disproportionate. It’s also at times been cruel.”
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