The real reason Karl Stefanovic was dumped on his honeymoon

Fans complained on Thursday when, after 14 years on Today, Karl Stefanovic was given a very brief send off.

A tribute by his long-term colleague Richard Wilkins, was aired in Karl’s absence, as he was still honeymooning in Aspen with his new wife Jasmine Yarbrough.

Karl and Jasmine the knot in Mexico last week, and while the timing of morning TV exit may have seemed coincidental, it was anything but.

According to Nine’s news and current affairs director Darren Wick, the wedding was the catalyst for the decision after a long run of bad press.

“The wedding showed the negative noise was not going anywhere and it was time for us and for Karl to take a rest… to have a breather,” David told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We truly believe this is what is best for both the show and for Karl. There was no reason for us to wait any longer once we had made the decision.”

He added that prior to the wedding, it had been the network’s plan to continue with Karl into 2019, with David saying, “we thought we could ride out the negative attention he was receiving”.

It’s been a tulmuluous week for Nine and Today, with both Karl and his brother Peter Stefanovic being dropped, and entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins sidelined.

Got a story tip? Send it to tips@oath.com
Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Or sign up to our daily newsletter here.