After 21 years, sun sets on Kochie’s gig
Brekkie TV host steps down
It might have come as a shock to his loyal viewers, but Sunrise host David Koch’s announcement he is quitting the top-rating breakfast show after 21 years has been months in the planning.
Koch struggled to hold back the tears as he revealed his departure live on air on Monday.
“I have loved every single minute of it and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved here over the last 21 years,” Koch, 67, told viewers.
“I started here before Facebook, before Instagram, before Twitter and iPhones. I’ve been privileged to experience so many great adventures, to meet so many different people and to cover so many moments of history in the making.”
Speaking to The Mercury immediately after coming off air, Koch – who received a congratulatory call from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the interview – said he had been planning the move for some time.
“We sort of planned it out from the end of last year,” Koch said. “I was happy to go at the end of last year and they said ‘can you do another six months just to settle it all down’. I was very happy to do that.
“For me, it is a job that I could only dream of doing and I am so grateful that I have been able to do it.”
Koch’s contract will see him remain with Seven for at least another 18 months.
“I will go back to probably my finance nerd roots, which I love,” he said. “I feel it is the right time. I feel good about it. I know it is going to be a massive adjustment, I don’t underestimate that but I feel good, it is the right time.”
On air, Koch’s co-host Natalie Barr was in tears as she took in the announcement.
The announcement comes after Koch disappeared from his hosting chair in early April, days after hinting about his future as host. He was replaced by fill-in host Matt Shirvington, who is now a favourite to replace him as permanent host.
Koch signed a two-year contract extension with the network last year.
He and wife Lib have four adult children and eight grandchildren, aged from 18 months to 15.