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The man most likely to replace Karl Stefanovic.

 

News broke on Wednesday afternoon that 44-year-old Karl Stefanovic had been axed from the Today show, less than 24 hours after his brother, 37-year-old Peter Stefanovic, was let go by the same network.

After co-hosting the morning program for 14 years, Karl Stefanovic received the phone call from Channel Nine while on honeymoon in Aspen.

For months, the media has reported on Today‘s declining viewership, which was largely attributed to Stefanovic’s new image.

Two and a half years ago, the father of three ended his 21 year marriage with Cassandra Thorburn. Six months later, he began dating shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, who he married in an extravagant wedding in Mexico.

Statements by Thorburn, and even their eldest son, have emerged over the last week, with some speculating that it was the final straw for the family network.

But speculation has already begun about who will be mostly likely to replace Stefanovic – and one name is dominating all reports.

Brenton Ragless.

The Age reports that Nine’s Adelaide newsreader, who will appear on Today’s summer program, “is tipped to join Georgie Gardner as permanent co-anchor.”

His name emerged as early as September, with Adelaide Now quoting insiders who attested to his “clear and genuine connection with viewers in Adelaide and across the country.”

 

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Ragless is said to have “won over” Nine executives with his “Un-Sydney everyman” reporting style.

The 42-year-old is said to be the ‘antithesis‘ of Stefanovic, described as ‘delightful, funny, warm, engaging and decent‘ by executives.

In an interview with The Australian earlier this year, Ragless said of the potential new opportunity, “If it was fitting for the family and right for them, we would certainly consider it.”

Ragless is, as well as a newsreader, a volunteer firefighter. His father was also a firefighter, who fought in the disastrous Ash Wednesday fires.

He is the father of two sons, Edan and James, and has been married to his wife, Hayley, for 10 years.