LOGIES 2019 Karl’s ‘relief’ at axe
KARL Stefanovic has broken his silence, describing his axing from the Today show as “a relief”.
The former breakfast TV host spoke about how he was on TV for the first time in six months at the Channel 9 Logies during the recovery brunch yesterday at The Star Gold Coast.
Stefanovic (right) revealed the axing allowed him a muchneeded break after working on Today for the past 14 years because the job was affecting his mental health.
“I needed to have a rest. Towards the end of last year I was cooked,” he said.
“I don’t believe for a second I was at my best. It was a relief in many ways that I was taken off the Today show.
“You can’t be doing that show if you’re not at the top of your game. For me, I needed to get away and Nine made the decision.
“After a month of not getting up at three in the morning I tell you what I was seeing things a lot clearer.
“It allowed me to rest and think – to come back and to make sure I’m OK. And for a while there I wasn’t sure.”
Sunday night was the first time Stefanovic had appeared on TV in about six months and he said: “I had a good night at the Logies. It was a really quiet night. It was good to be back”.
He stepped away from the limelight after he was axed while in Mexico honeymooning with wife and shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough.
Asked how is married life he said: “It’s wonderful”.
“It’s been lovely for us just to breathe and enjoy ourselves without having too much paparazzi in the shower with us,” he said.
Stefanovic, who is the host of the new program This Time Next Year, added: “I’m doing a little bit of 60 Minutes too, down the track.”
“For me to not think about me and move into their direction was a real revelation,” he said.
“I do cry a lot more these days. And I also laugh a lot more. The emotions are right there.
“It allowed me to listen and concentrate and be empathetic.”