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Axed Today presenter breaks silence

Steven Jacobs with Sylvia Jeffereys and Karl Stefanovic on the Today panel
Steven Jacobs has spoken out after being cut from Today after 15 years. Photo: Nine

A veteran member of the Today show line up who was ousted in what was described as a ‘bloodbath’ on the morning show yesterday has broken his silence, and it appears there are no hard feelings.

Weatherman Steven Jacobs was a member of the team for close to 15 years and was one of the many names dropped from the lineup in yesterday’s shocking announcement, replaced by Sydney reporter Tim Davies.

Taking to Instagram today, the presenter addressed the decision to replace his role, but seemed to suggest he was on board.

“Today has been my home for almost 15 years and I love the program and my colleagues dearly,” he captioned a snap of himself with The Beatles member Paul McCartney.

“Sadly I can’t commit to the future travel requirements of the job and have to put my beautiful daughters first.”

Steven is dad to two girls, Isabella, 8, and Francesca, 5 with his ex-wife Rosie Jacobs who he met on the set of the morning show.

Clearly letting no bad blood show, the presenter thanked the network and reflected positively on his time at the show.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my achievements or more grateful for the opportunities I’ve had with Nine,” he said.

The sign off from the longstanding weather presenter comes after the TV world was rocked by a huge shakeup on the show yesterday.

‘A bloodbath’ at Channel 9

Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon pose in a promotional Nine shot for Today show
The appointment of Karl and Allison was followed with a brutal restructure of the Today show line up. Photo: Nine

Channel Nine officially confirmed the new line-up for the Today show on Wednesday, with a host of new faces joining Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon on the breakfast show in 2020.

“They got rid of almost everyone. It’s another bloodbath,” a source told news.com.au, before the network confirmed who was in and who was out on Wednesday morning.

Karl and Allison will be joined by Perth reporter Tracy Vo in the newsreader role, with Alex Cullen, formerly from Sunday Night, doing sport.

Nine's Director of Morning Television, Steven Burling, heaped praise on the new team after the announcement.

“Ally and Karl are quite simply two of the best news broadcasters in the country,” he said.

Brooke Boney (far right) is the only member of the 2019 lineup to see 2020. Photo: Nine
Brooke Boney (far right) is the only member of the 2019 lineup to see 2020. Photo: Nine

Brooke Boney is the only person from the revamped 2019 line-up to remain, holding down her role as the entertainment reporter in 2020.

Georgie Gardner’s tenure as Today anchor came to an abrupt end in November, with her colleagues revealing her departure came after a stretch of difficulty in the high-profile gig, and Deborah knight has since been ousted.

Richard Wilkins has also been booted from the Today show and will be moved to Weekend Today. He will be joined by new co-host Rebecca Maddern, from The Footy Show and Ninja Warrior Australia.

Jayne Azzopardi will present the Weekend Today news and Lauren Phillips will be the weekend weather presenter.

The new team will debut live on Monday, January 6.

With additional reporting by Kristine Tarbett.

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