More than three years after her departure from the Today show, Nine presenter Georgie Gardner has shed light on her experiences and the reasons for her exit.
Taking the reigns in 2018 after Lisa Wilkinson‘s sudden exit, Gardner’s stint on the breakfast show was rife with challenges, mostly due to circumstances outside of her control.
“Unfortunately, factors beyond my control made my stay brief,” Gardner revealed on the It’s All Her podcast.
One significant challenge was the media attention surrounding her co-host, Karl Stefanovic. His very public separation from Cass Thorburn and subsequent relationship with Jasmine Yarbrough overshadowed their professional roles, affecting the dynamics on set.
“It was an enriching experience, co-hosting with Karl,” Gardner candidly shared on the It’s All Her podcast. “Yet, the period was dominated by personal stories rather than our on-screen synergy.
The endless speculation regarding Karl’s personal life created distractions, making our collective effort on the show even more challenging.”
She expressed this sentiment in conversation with It’s All Her host Jordy Lucas.
The mounting media attention, coupled with whispers of a rift between Gardner and Stefanovic, eventually led Nine to make some tough calls. The most significant was removing Stefanovic from the show, a move that many saw as an attempt to reset the narrative and bring the focus back to content.
Addressing these rumours, Gardner emphasized their professional rapport, stating,
“The speculations didn’t mirror the reality. We shared a genuine bond and our on-screen chemistry was organic and strong.”
Post-Stefanovic’s exit, Today underwent a comprehensive revamp. Deb Knight was brought in to fill Stefanovic’s shoes, while other changes saw Brooke Boney taking over the entertainment mantle from Richard Wilkins. Tony Jones replaced Tim Gilbert and Tom Steinfort stepped in for Sylvia Jeffreys.
However, these changes, drastic as they were, failed to captivate the desired audience. The ratings consistently painted a story of Today struggling to match its competitors.
Reflecting on this challenging phase, Gardner remarked,
“Seeing the unfolding scenario, I realised the direction wasn’t favourable. Making the tough call, I decided to step back, focusing on what I do best – news.”
In a bid to reclaim its former glory, Nine made the decision in 2019 to reinstate Karl Stefanovic. Partnering him was Allison Langdon from Weekend Today and 60 Minutes.
Their partnership seemed to be the breath of fresh air that Today needed. After a commendable two-year run, Langdon made a strategic shift to A Current Affair, leading the way for Sarah Abo to join forces with Stefanovic.
