Celebrity vet Dr Chris Brown is firming as a likely replacement after David Koch’s surprise announcement he is quitting Sunrise.
Brown left rival Network Ten earlier this year on a rumoured two-year contract of more than $1 million at Seven.
But the network has been close-lipped on what role it had in mind for the former I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! co-host.
An emotional Koch – Australia’s longest-serving breakfast television host – made the announcement live on air on Monday.
“Before we move on, just a bit of news for me,” he said.
“I have decided to hang up the boots as co-host of Sunrise. After nearly 21 years and over 5300 shows …” before choking up.
“16,000 hours of TV, it is now time to work in business hours and have a bit of flexibility to focus more on our big family and the family business. And frankly, my football club as well,” he continued.
The breakfast TV role turned Koch from a finance-reporting sidekick to a nationally recognisable celebrity and ratings king. The passionate Port Adelaide AFL fan (he is the club’s chairman) sprinkled his farewell message with football references as he held back tears.
“After 20 consecutive premierships in the breakfast rating game, I’m finding it harder to get off the ground to take those speccy marks and it’s time to bring through the next generation,” he said.
“I don’t want to be a list-clogger.”
Koch’s last outing in the Sunrise co-host’s chair will be on June 9. Seven has so far refused to say who will replace the 67-year-old, only that an announcement will be made soon.
Network newcomer Brown has also been tipped as host for Seven’s up-and-coming rival for Nine juggernaut The Block. Called Dream Home, it was pitched as an “inspiring new renovation show” in an online casting call earlier this year.
Two weeks ago, a network spokesman said no formal announcement had been made about the Dream Home host.
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In a statement in February after announcing his network switch, Brown said he would start “in the second half of the year and beyond with Seven”. A network spokesperson subsequently confirmed he would officially begin “in July”.
Speculation about Brown, 44, taking over on the Sunrise set was rife on social media on Monday. Other names in the line-up include former Olympian turned fill-in host Matt Shirvington and Seven journalist Matt Doran.
Koch’s decision to quit came despite him signing a two-year contract in October 2022. At the time, he said when he said Seven chief executive James Warburton and chairman Kerry Stokes had agreed to allow him some flexibility.
“I’ve had long chats with both of them, and they asked me is there a way to come up with a plan that gives you the flexibility you want, and gives you a connection to the network and a continuing focus on Sunrise,” he said last year.
“I love it dearly. So I’m really fortunate to have the best of all worlds.”
Mr Stokes and Mr Warburton offered their best wishes for Koch on Monday.
“Kochie has been the king of breakfast TV for two decades, taking Sunrise to No.1 and helping to keep it there year in, year out. It’s an extraordinary achievement, one that he should be very proud of. But all good things come to an end, and I admire and respect his decision to step away from Sunrise while he’s at the top of his game,” Mr Warburton said.
“Kochie is the ultimate team player and I’m going to miss seeing him on screen every morning. I wish him, [wife] Libby and the family all the very best for the future, and thank you from everyone at Seven.”
-with AAP
