Race on to fill Sunrise host gig

Several well-known television names are poised to step into the very big shoes of departing brekkie-show veteran David ‘Kochie’ Koch (pictured).

Sports presenter and former Olympian Matt Shirvington looks to be the frontrunner to helm ratings juggernaut Sunrise alongside Natalie Barr, after covering for father of four Koch several times while he was on holidays.

Network executives were said to be impressed with the 44-year-old’s natural presenting during a lengthy stint filling in as co-anchor.

While it had seemed that Weekend Sunrise star Matt Doran was Kochie’s heir apparent for years, his car-crash interview with British singer Adele in November 2021 – where he had flown to sit down with the chart-topping singer for Seven but admitted during the chat that he hadn’t actually listened to her new album 30 – has probably taken him out of the race.

Fellow Seven stablemate and golden boy Larry Emdur is another short-odds favourite.

The current Morning Show host took over the reins of game show The Chase after Andrew O’Keefe’s fall from grace and has enjoyed stellar ratings in both roles.

Kochie has been reported to favour the network’s prized news reporter and presenter Michael Usher.

Another Sunrise veteran Mark Beretta is a potential strong contender following his successful stint filling in for Kochie during the Christmas holidays last year.

Dr Chris Brown could be a surprise candidate for the coveted role. Or could Sunrise bring back hugely popular former host Mel Doyle?

Seven is expected to announce Kochie’s replacement by the end of the week.