Top Australian TV star to leave job after Tommy Robinson interview, reports say

BBC News ^ | June 25, 2026 | Tiffanie Turnbull

[MinorityRepublican]

One of Australia's biggest TV presenters, Karl Stefanovic, will reportedly leave his job amid backlash over his podcast project after an interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Stefanovic became a household name as the long-time host of breakfast programme Today, but local media say Nine Entertainment is negotiating his exit from the network.

For years Australia's highest-paid news presenter, Stefanovic in January launched his own independently produced podcast in which he sat down with a string of controversial figures.

This week's interview with Robinson was pulled offline within hours as viewer and advertiser fallout grew in Australia.

Nine - one of Australia's two major commercial broadcasters - would not confirm his departure to the BBC, but earlier on Wednesday distanced itself from its star's recent work.

"The Karl Stefanovic Show is a completely independent production. Nine has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes. However, Nine is taking this matter seriously," a spokesperson said.

His impending exit was first reported by The Australian, and confirmed by the Sydney Morning Herald, a masthead owned by Nine. His contract was due to expire at the end of the year.

Representatives for Stefanovic - who is currently on leave and in London - have been contacted for comment.

The 51-year-old has been under pressure over his podcast for months, due to guest selection and his own comments on issues like alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, "woke" culture and vaccinations.

During his 55-minute chat with Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, Stefanovic said he admired his "tenacity" and "courage" in "trying to stand up for what you believe is right".

In a video promoting the episode, Stefanovic also threw his arm around Robinson and referred to outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer with an offensive term.

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TOPICS: Politics; Society; TV/Movies
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[Ultra Sonic 007]

The extent to which people in the British Commonwealth have had their minds whammied about Tommy Robinson is wild to me.

[marron]

There is nothing “far right” about him. He just speaks truth and it sets their hair on fire.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Karl Stefanovic could become much bigger than the fakestream media outlet which he is leaving if he continues to expose truth instead of hiding it like they do.

[fella]

Just finished watching “Citizen Vigilanty” on X. It’s a call to arms.

[mikey_hates_everything]

Got no problem with what the vigilante did to the family and the rapists after the entire family of one of the rapists endorsed the raping instead of denouncing it. I wonder where they got the actors for that scene.