Karl Stefanovic’s tenure as host of Nine Network’s Today show appears to have come to an abrupt end following a controversial podcast interview with far-right figure Tommy Robinson. The network’s executives reportedly decided to sever ties with Stefanovic after a series of internal discussions on Wednesday at Nine’s North Sydney headquarters.

The decision followed the release of an almost hour-long interview recorded in London, during which Stefanovic expressed support for Robinson’s views, notably praising his “courage” and describing recently resigned British Labour leader Keir Starmer as a “wanker.” The broadcast of the interview, which was widely criticized for lacking journalistic scrutiny, intensified concerns within Nine about Stefanovic’s editorial direction.

Earlier in the week, Stefanovic actively promoted the interview by posting a video clip showing the two walking through London streets, generating further attention. After concerns were raised by senior executives, Stefanovic removed the interview from his social media platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, and Apple Podcasts. Network representatives stated they did not formally request its removal. However, the deletion only fueled speculation and controversy.

The interview subsequently resurfaced on the social media channels of Pauline Hanson, leader of the One Nation party and a frequent guest on Stefanovic’s show. Hanson branded the interview “CANCELLED” and accused Nine of unjustly seeking to terminate Stefanovic’s contract. She criticized Stefanovic’s replacement, Deborah Knight, and referenced Nine’s prior unsuccessful breakfast show revamp in 2019 involving Knight and Georgie Gardner. Hanson further asserted that Robinson’s commentary on immigration and radicalism provided important warnings for Australia.

Hanson did not clarify how she obtained the deleted interview or whether Stefanovic authorized its republication.

The interview has reignited existing tensions surrounding Stefanovic’s podcast, which has been a source of internal discord within Nine. Colleagues reportedly felt the presenter was overstepping the boundaries of the editorial independence granted to his show, particularly given his status as a high-profile breakfast television host earning a salary exceeding $2 million.

Stefanovic has previously drawn criticism from within the network for controversial podcast content, including a public apology in March for encouraging distrust in “mainstream media” and for supporting figures such as neurosurgeon Charlie Teo and war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith—positions that contradicted Nine’s own editorial stance.

In response to the latest developments, Nine reiterated that Stefanovic’s podcast operates independently, with no editorial input from the network, but confirmed it was “taking this matter seriously” and reviewing its relationship with the presenter.

Last year, Nine had already reduced Stefanovic’s contract term to 12 months and cut his salary by over $500,000 amid evolving arrangements allowing him to produce his independent podcast. Industry observers noted that both Nine and Stefanovic appeared to acknowledge this year would likely mark the end of his role on the Today show after more than two decades with the network.