Live on air today, Today show host Karl Stefanovic addressed his former co-host Lisa Wilkinson’s sudden departure from the Channel Nine show in a bizarre tribute.
Stefanovic credits the veteran journalist with her ability to perform housework before coming to work.
Speaking to the camera, Karl says: ‘For 10 years Lisa has dragged herself out of bed at 3.30 in morning, fed the dogs and cats, put a load of washing on and come into work and sat on my left to inform you at home to what’s happening in the world,’ Stefanovic began his speech on Tuesday morning.’
He continues, ‘For 10 years she handled those brutal, brutal hours with grace, beauty, intelligence and a wicked, wicked sense of humour. For whatever reason she won’t be doing that anymore and it was a surprise to us all. It’s safe to safe to say that we’re all a little but shocked and it will take a little while to sink in.’
Twitter were not happy with Stefanovic using Wilkinson’s ‘ability’ to do housework before coming in to work the feature of his farewell tribute.
Wilkinson announced her decision to leave the network for Channel 10’s The Project on Monday night, as a result of pay negotiations between herself, her manager and the Nine network.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Wilkinson was being paid less than her co-host, and she wanted ‘pay parity.’
Wilkinson’s new salary at Channel 10 will make her the highest paid woman on Australian television.
Today Show news presenter Sylvia Jeffreys appeared to address the salary gap in her own tribute to Wilkinson on Tuesday.
‘I did speak privately with Lisa last night and I thanked her and I congratulated her because ultimate this is an exciting time for Lisa,’ Jeffreys said as she held back tears.
Jeffreys credited Wilkinson as a role model for young women, ‘Here is the thing, seeing is believing for young girls and for young women and what they see in Lisa is a strong, influential, fun and compassionate woman at the very, very top of her game and that is a very powerful thing.’
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