Sylvia Jeffreys says she was 'collateral' in Stefanovics' scandal

Sylvia Jeffreys has opened up about her husband Peter Stefanovic’s shock sacking from Channel Nine, months after both he and brother Karl were sidelined from their prominent roles at the network.

The ex-Today show newsreader made the admissions in an interview with Stellar magazine, where she opened up about the family’s tumultuous past 12 months.

Just days after Karl’s star-studded wedding to Jasmine Yarborough in December, he was dumped as Today co-host, while Peter also left the network after 15 years.

“I didn’t see change on that scale coming,” she told the magazine. “It was a difficult few days as everything was being sorted out, but I certainly didn’t expect it.”

“I don't know on what basis those decisions were made, but whatever way you look at it, I was collateral.”

As the Stefanovic brothers continued to reel from the upheaval, Sylvia - who was one of the network’s most popular presenters - was shafted from her lucrative gig on Today.

This move came amid a complete overhaul for the breakfast program, which has been plagued by falling ratings for well over a year.

Her replacement was quickly announced as Tom Steinfort while Deb Knight stepped into Karl’s hosting shoes and Brooke Boney took over as entertainment reporter.

The shift left both Sylvia and her husband of almost two years - who had been hosting Weekend Today - suddenly without their high profile roles.

“It was an interesting dynamic but, in a sense, [both of us losing our jobs] helped us immensely,” she said, adding that they turned to each other for support.

Despite the upheaval, she wasn’t out of a job for long with her move to A Current Affair announced in early February.

“I’m thrilled to sink my teeth into a brand new project,” she said at the time.

“Opportunity often knocks when you least expect it and I’m ready to dive right in to what’s ahead of me.”

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