Georgie Gardner appears to have left the Today show with immediate effect.
WATCH: Deborah Knight and Tom Steinfort give Georgie Gardner awkward send-off following news of Karl’s return
Gardner was missing from this morning’s show, forcing co-hosts Deborah Knight and Tom Steinfort to speak on behalf of her.
“We wanted to acknowledge our colleague and friend, Georgie Gardner,” Knight began.
“You might have read over the weekend that Georgie has left the show. After a really challenging year, we want to wish Georgie all the very best,” she added.
Steinfort described her as a “committed and passionate member of the team.”
“She has always been a woman of strength here, a woman of class – and also who could forget that very wicked sense of humour that would just pop up from time to time as well?” he said.
Knight also acknowledged the program’s plummeting ratings since Gardner joined the show in 2018.
“She gave it a red hot go,” said Deborah.
“For now though, Georgie is enjoying the time with her family, friends, taking Wilbur the dog [for a walk] and we look forward to seeing you on our screens again soon.”
Gardner recently admitted she was “disappointed” to hear that Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon will replace her on the Today show.
“I was consulted two weeks ago about the future direction of the Today Show, and naturally I’m disappointed with the outcome,” Gardner told 9 Now.
“However I’m very proud to have been part of an innovative and progressive programming decision – the first female hosting duo in Australian breakfast television,” the 49-year-old continued.
Knight will stay on with the network as co-host on Monday morning while Gardner will no longer work on the breakfast program.
Disappointment aside, Gardner claims she’s looking forward to her next move, stating:
“My plan now is to return to my first love, news, and to catch up on some sleep!”
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