Speculation is mounting over the whereabouts of former Nine Network host Karl Stefanovic, with cryptic remarks from friends Sam Newman and Eddie McGuire suggesting he may be in France. The pair were filmed at a restaurant in La Croix-Valmer, in the South of France, with McGuire stating he was there to interview Stefanovic.
Newman uploaded a video of himself and his partner dining with McGuire and his wife Carla. During the clip, McGuire, who was also set to host a new ARN radio show, "The Long Weekend," with Stefanovic, confirmed his European trip was partly to interview the former "Today" host. "I've come to find Karl, actually. I'm interviewing next week," McGuire said.
Stefanovic, 51, has recently exited the Nine Network after a controversial interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The interview was initially uploaded to Stefanovic's podcast before being deleted hours later amid backlash. He had been on a two-week leave in London when the decision for him to leave the network was made.
McGuire indicated that Stefanovic was currently in good spirits and had completed a series of organized interviews. "He's bouncing around at the moment. He's finished his suite of interviews that he's organised," McGuire stated, adding, "Now he's sort of working out what the rest of his life looks like."
This is not the first time Stefanovic has reportedly retreated overseas during periods of media scrutiny. In 2018, following his initial departure from the "Today" show, he and his now-wife Jasmine Yarbrough reportedly spent two weeks in Aspen, Colorado, for their honeymoon. He has also been known to take breaks on James Packer's superyacht, IJE, in the past, including during a Mediterranean trip in 2018 and a getaway to Bora Bora in 2017 amid scrutiny over his divorce.
Reports suggest that rival networks Channel Ten and Seven have ruled out hiring Stefanovic. However, Stefanovic and Nine are reportedly close to agreeing on an undisclosed six-figure settlement regarding his departure. Stefanovic had been with the Nine Network for approximately 25 years.