Athletics star turned TV host Matt Shirvington has been crowned David Koch‘s successor at Sunrise after a three-year plan to prepare him for the top job.
The official announcement was made during the breakfast show on Monday morning, four days before Koch, 67, films his final show on Friday.
Shirvington, 44, said he was feeling ‘mixed emotions’ about the new gig as he joined Barr and Koch on the couch for the announcement.
‘Just amazing. Daunted. So excited. Happy. Cannot tell you the honour and privilege this is, Kochie, particularly. A huge job. A huge job. And an exciting job,’ he said.
Both Koch and Barr said they were thrilled with the choice.
Athletics star turned TV host Matt Shirvington has been crowned David Koch ‘s successor at Sunrise after a three-year plan to prepare him for the top job
The official announcement was made during the breakfast show on Monday morning, four days before Koch films his final show on Friday
‘What we do always is when you’re a member of the family, you stay a member of the family, don’t you. And you come through. And you’ve been fantastic filling in and every Friday, it’s been sensational. You are going to been sensational. You are going to be the perfect fit,’ Koch said.
During the segment Barr and Koch also played a video of the former Olympian competing in a race wearing a skin-tight unitard.
The tight outfit that drew attention to Shirvington’s infamous bulge as he bolted down the track.
Barr and Koch also drew attention to a video of the former Olympian competing in a race wearing a skin-tight unitard that drew attention to his infamous bulge
The tight outfit that drew attention to Shirvington’s infamous bulge as he bolted down the track
Fans of the athlete will remember how photos of Shirvington revealing his rather large manhood went viral back in 1998 while he was competing in the Commonwealth Games.
Earlier in the show Koch teased his replacement, telling viewers ‘ I will guarantee they will be younger and better looking. That’s open to everybody! It’s a wide field,’ he said.
Fans of the athlete will remember how photos of Shirvington revealing his rather large manhood went viral back in 1998 while he was competing in the Commonwealth Games (Pictured competing in the 200m heat)
In a press release on Monday, Shirvington said he was ‘excited and humbled’ by the opportunity to co-host such an iconic Australian show.
‘It’s a privilege to follow on from Kochie. He leaves behind a legacy of honesty, humility and a whole lot of fun, and I can’t wait to continue adding to that,’ he said.
‘A big thank you to the Seven executive team, in particular James Warburton and Craig McPherson, for backing me to do this. Sunrise is a tight-knit team of talented and passionate people who work ridiculously hard – none more so than Sarah Stinson and Sean Power. I admire you all and won’t let you down.’
Barr and Shirvington are pictured in their first official Sunrise cast photo together
‘This is a huge life shift for me that will take some juggling at home, and something I couldn’t have done without the loving support of Jess and our kids,’ he said.
‘To my new on-air family, particularly Nat, thanks for making me feel so welcome right from the start. Brekky Central, my new home. I like the sound of that!’
Koch also praised his successor in a statement from Seven on Monday, saying Shirvington is the ‘perfect fit’ for the role.
‘A good bloke with solid values, he will do a terrific job and I wish him great success,’ Koch said.
Shirvington is a familiar face at Sunrise, often filling in for Koch when he was away. Shirvington is pictured delivering Donald Trump coverage as a stand-in for Koch in April
Barr echoed the sentiment, saying in a press release on Monday: ‘Shirvo is an iconic Aussie and an all-round great guy. I can’t think of anyone better to join us on the Sunrise couch.’
‘We’ve been working together for a couple of years now and I can tell you he’s interested in people, he really cares, he’s a hands-on dad and husband and he talks almost as much as I do, so we get along really well!’
It comes after Channel Seven insiders last week exclusively confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Shirvington, who has been tipped as Koch’s likely replacement since the Tokyo Olympics, would get the top job.
The new appointment follows a carefully curated training process for the popular ‘Shirvo’ who is widely liked by Seven’s top executives as well as by viewers.
Koch gave Shirvington his ‘blessing’ ahead of the takeover.
‘David believes Matt is a great fit and thinks he will do a fantastic job,’ an insider told Daily Mail Australia.
‘He’s been filling in for David for a few years now and has earned his stripes. Viewers like him and he is very well-regarded internally so it’s a natural step up for him.’
Shirvington was earmarked for the job back in 2020 when he took part in Seven’s Olympic coverage team – a role he carried well in the delayed Games in 2021 and one that inevitably earned him his ‘hosting stripes’.
Koch (pictured with Sunrise guest Katy Perry) has given the former Australian sprint champion his ‘blessing’
He also cut his teeth with hosting roles on the the mini-golf games show Holey Moley and Ultimate Tag which, while not a hit in the ratings, provided more evidence he had the ‘chops’ to handle a major format.
Shirvington, who has spent the past two years waiting in the wings as Sydney’s weekend sports presenter, will soon begin the daily 3am wake-up call slog – one of several factors which ultimately led to Koch’s decision to step down after 21 years.
Koch shared the news of his decision to leave the helm during last Monday morning’s show.
Shirvington ended his athletics career in 2006 with five consecutive National Titles in the 100m and five top-three finishes nationally in the 200m
‘I have loved every single minute of my time at Sunrise,’ Koch said on air.
‘I’ve been privileged to experience so many adventures, to meet so many incredible people, and to cover so many moments of history in the making.’
Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes said: ‘I will personally miss David, as he is a thorough professional and a wonderful human being, particularly in the manner he has mentored so many Seven people.’
Koch shared the news of his decision to leave the helm during last Monday morning’s show
Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer James Warburton added in a statement: ‘All good things come to an end, and I admire and respect his decision to step away from Sunrise while he’s at the top of his game.’
Shirvington will co-host his first edition of Sunrise with Barr next Monday, 12 June.
