Karl Under Attack

It was a rocky week for the Nine Network, as the power struggle to rein in host Karl Stefanovic continued in the wake of the Today show receiving its worst ratings in four years.

The worrying statistics came in as the network’s highest paid presenter was sipping cocktails in Europe on yet another luxury holiday with fiancée Jasmine Yarbrough – right when they needed him the most. ‘Where is his focus? That’s the question that’s being asked at the station,’ reveals our well-placed spy.

‘Everyone is desperate to keep their heads above water, and the star of the show is living it up in Italy for two weeks during their peak season. He has gone too far this time.’

Adding insult to injury, The Project host Lisa Wilkinson, 58, has come out swinging at her old network, leaving bosses devastated that their secret back-up plan to woo her in to replacing Karl, 43, is in jeopardy.

‘Of course they want her to swoop in and save them,’ our insider explains. ‘Karl would be shown the door without a second thought if they knew they could win back viewers.’