He’s the star of 60 Minutes and Weekend Today but in a surprising move, Peter Stefanovic is leaving Channel Nine after 15 years with the network.
“Peter has decided to explore new opportunities and is looking forward to spending weekends with his wife,” a Nine spokesperson said in a statement.
“He has been a respected member of the Nine News team and Weekend Today, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Peter admitted he was looking forward to spending weekend with his wife and fellow Nine presenter, Sylvia Jeffreys.
“I’ve had an amazing time at Nine being a foreign correspondent, News reporter and covering some amazing stories for 60 minutes,” Peter said.
“I’ll miss my friends at Nine very much, it has been a huge privilege to work alongside so many great people.”
According to Nine, Peter’s shock exit was “mutually decided” but behind the scenes, speculation is mounting Peter is the first personality on the chopping block in the aftermath of this year’s Ubergate scandal in which Peter and his brother Karl Stefanovic were caught bad-mouthing the Nine network and their colleagues.
Peter and Allison Langdon started working together on Weekend Today at the start of the year. (Image: Allison Langdon Instagram)
An insider speaking to The Australian says the incident is indeed to blame for Peter’s exit.
”Everyone is in shock, but its Ubergate that’s done him in. Today has been spiralling out of control. And they bone people,” the source told the publication.
Another source speaking to The Australian claims Peter’s contract hadn’t been renewed and he must have been “waiting for the axe to fall.”
READ NEXT: Peter only joined Weekend Today at the start of the year
Last week, Nine shut down claims Peter was set to be replaced by Brenton Ragless the as Weekend Today’s ratings plummeted.
“Nine has dropped Peter Stefanovic from hosting Weekend Today and he’s going back to the newsroom,” a source told the Daily Telegraph at the time.
In the aftermath of Peter’s departure, speculation is swirling his brother and Today star Karl might be next on the chopping block.
Peter is an accomplished journalist who has reported from the front-line of war zones and joined the network in 2004. (Image: Getty)
Woman’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 Woman’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.
“She must be feeling pretty good right now, we’re talking seven weeks left of Karl. End of year, end of ratings, end of November and that will be it,” Fiona said.
Rumours are also swirling that Today‘s entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins could be axed next too.
Will Pete’s brother Karl be shown the door next? (Image: Instagram)
