David Koch ‘Kochie’ quits Sunrise

Beloved Sunrise host David Koch struggled to hold back the tears as he announced he is leaving the show after 21 years.

The longest-serving TV host in Australian history made the shock announcement on Monday morning, beside his emotional co-host Natalie Barr. 

‘I have loved every single minute of it and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved here over the last 21 years,’ Kochie told viewers. 

‘I started here before Facebook, before Instagram, before Twitter and iPhones. That’s how old I am. I have loved every single minute of it and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved here over the last 21 years.

‘I’ve been privileged to experience so many great adventures, to meet so many different people and to meet so many different people and to cover so many moments of history in the making’.

A teary Barr told her co-host: ‘The show would not be what it is today without you. It’s been an amazing ride and we’re going to celebrate that in the next two weeks.’

‘We are. My kids were taking bets on whether I cried or not,’ Kochie replied.

‘I was going so well until I saw Nat in the distance behind the camera. It’s been a very special relationship. Lots to celebrate in the next two weeks.’

An emotional David Koch announced he is leaving Sunrise after almost 21 years on the show

A teary Barr told her co-host: ‘The show would not be what it is today without you. It’s been an amazing ride and we’re going to celebrate that in the next two weeks’

Kochie will step away from the Sunrise desk in two weeks time, saying it was time for him to enjoy more flexible work hours to spend time with his growing family. 

The host was credited as ‘turning around the fortunes of the Seven Network over the past two decades’ by Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes AC.  

‘As everyone knows, I’m a finance nerd so you’ll still see me pop up every so often on RBA board meeting days or covering other big financial news, but as a guest rather than host,’ he said. 

‘Coming up to 20 consecutive years as Australia’s most-watched breakfast show is a nice moment to exit stage left with an enormous sense of pride and gratitude. Thank you for the privilege.’

The host has been a familiar face on Australian television screens since 2002 when he first joined the Sunrise desk. 

Kochie said he would miss working with the entire Sunrise team, but gave special shoutouts to co-hosts Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta and producer Dave Walters. 

‘I reckon I’ve spent more time with them than my family and it has been an utter joy. I’ll miss the Sunrise viewers who have energised me every single day,’ he said. 

James Warburton, Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer dubbed Kochie the ‘breakfast King’ who had taken Sunrise to the number one spot. 

‘It’s an extraordinary achievement, one that he should be very proud of. But 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,’ he said. 

‘Kochie is the ultimate team player and I’m going to miss seeing him on screen every morning. I wish him, Libby and the family all the very best for the future, and thank you from everyone at Seven.’

Before he joined the Sunrise desk, Kochie – as he is affectionately known – had an extensive background in journalism and finance.