“Is He Taking Over?!” Robert Irwin FINALLY Breaks His Silence on the Shocking Karl Stefanovic Replacement Rumours!

Robert Irwin has addressed rumours he could soon be waking up with Australia every morning on the Today show.

Channel 9 is looking at many people to replace Karl Stefanovic, and while the 22-year-old might sound like an outside choice to some, he’s been high on the bookies’ list ever since the long-running TV presenter exited the network.

Robert hasn’t been right at the top, but he was typically seen between fifth to 10th on Sportsbet’s rankings and beat out some much more likely contenders.

But the news is just as surprising to the young wildlife warrior.

On the Jase, Lauren & Clint radio show, host Clint Stanaway asked whether Robert had seen the speculation.

“Oh okay. There you go…Oh cool,” Robert said, via TVTonight.

“That’s first I’ve heard of it. Sweet. Today show coming at ya.”

He said this certainly isn’t the first time his name has been attached to something completely random, whether it’s his professional, personal, or romantic life.

“It’s my favourite thing, whenever I’m like at the grocery store or something, I’ll see one of the tabloid magazines and I pick it up just to see what I’m doing,” he said.

Who is Channel 9 looking at to replace Karl Stefanovic?

At the moment, Nine is trialling Michael Willesee Jr in Karl’s seat, and the son of the TV legend, Mike Willesee, has been a controversial choice.

While viewers initially weren’t a massive fan of the ex-Sky News Australia presenter, others are urging the country to give him a chance to grow into the role.

Nine News Melbourne presenter Tom Steinfort and Nine’s chief political correspondent Charles Croucher have also been trialled so far.

Unlike Robert, those two names have been right at the top of Sportsbet’s rankings.

They have both been at the network for decades and have the credentials to take on the complex co-hosting job.

Media commentator Jo Casamento told Yahoo Lifestyle that Tom was her frontrunner for the role.

“He’s already part of the Today family, viewers know him, and he’s a polished live broadcaster,” the host of TV and film podcast, Plus One, and UNSW journalism and social media teacher said.

“He’s the obvious internal candidate.”

Other names that have been thrown into the ring have been Rodger Corser, the host of Nine’s game show The Floor, and sports presenter James Bracey.

Would Robert Irwin want to work on the Today show?

If you listen to insiders, there is apparently a big push for Robert Irwin to get the gig.

An unnamed source told New Idea that Nin is “desperately trying to get” the 22-year-old and will offer him “whatever he wants”.

While he’s the biggest name in Australian showbiz at the moment, it would be an unlikely switch up from the traditional person who has hosted Today.

Additionally, the 22-year-old just signed on to be a host of Channel 10’s Ninja Warrior program for 2027.

It would also be a tough sell to have him permanently move from his home at Australia Zoo to Sydney where the Channel 9 show is filmed.

Being contracted to five days a week at Nine would severely limit his ability to travel, engage in his photography hobby, and keep up his conservation efforts.