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Karl Stefanovic will be back next year to host the Today Show

Looks like he's safe for now at least.
Georgie Gardner calls Karl Stefanovic promiscuous
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Heโ€™s had a rough few months, but Channel Nine say that Karl Stefanovic will be back in 2019 behind the desk for the Today Show.

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Despite the showโ€™s steady decline in ratings and talks that he is set to be replaced, the network confirmed that the 44 year-old will return to the breakfast show next year.

โ€œThe nation wakes up with Today, hosted by Karl Stefanovic and Georgie Gardner,โ€ the official press release read.

โ€œIn 2019, Australiaโ€™s longest-running breakfast television program will continue to bring viewers up-to-the-minute news, current affairs, sport, politics, entertainment, fashion, health and lifestyle from Australia and around the world.โ€

But is it really set in stone?

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A body language expert says Karl and Georgie (pictured here with Richard Wilkins) looked noticeably tense at Nineโ€™s annual Upfronts event yesterday. (Image: Media Mode)

At their annual Upfronts event in Sydney on Wednesday, Nine didnโ€™t highlight changes within the Today Show, instead focusing on their drama, sport and reality TV offerings.

And according to The Daily Mail, the hosts looked pretty awkward as they stepped out at the event.

โ€œKarlโ€™s arm placement could have been a last-minute addition to the pose when he perhaps sensed the clear disconnect and divide between them, hoping for Georgie to reciprocate, lean in or turn. But it looks like sheโ€™s rigidly avoiding a friendly photo,โ€ body language expert Holly Bartter told the publication.

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READ MORE: Meet Ben Fordham: The new Karl Stefanovic

Ever since he announced his engagement to 35 year-old shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, Karlโ€™s popularity, particularly with his female audience, has plummeted.

Womanโ€™s Day have previously reported that following the Ubergate scandal, Georgie Gardner and Channel Nine struck up a deal that the network would back her over Karl if need be.

In the Womanโ€™s Day Uncensored podcast, editor-in-chief Fiona Connolly said that she would only have to wait until the end of the year until Karl was axed.

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โ€œShe must be feeling pretty good right now, weโ€™re talking seven weeks left of Karl. End of year, end of ratings, end of November and that will be it,โ€ Fiona said.

WATCH: Ben Fordham jokes about being the new Karl Stefanovic. Post continuesโ€ฆ

Ben Fordham jokes about Karl Stefanovic on Hard Chat
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Earlier this year, Womanโ€™s Day revealed Ben was being groomed to take over from Karl by next year.

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โ€œ(Nine management) plan to wheel Karl out as much as possible for 60 Minutes assignments, which will justify his absence from Today.โ€

โ€œBen Fordham will fill in while heโ€™s gone, prepping him to take over in January 2019.โ€

He and Channel Nineโ€™s Adelaide newsreader Brenton Ragless are tipped to be the number one replacements.

Watch this spaceโ€ฆ

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