Channel Nine’s ambitious young reporters are reportedly furious at the network for ignoring them for a lucrative Today presenting gig during the summer holidays.
The breakfast show often tests the mettle of rising stars in the hot seat during the six-week ratings-free period while regular hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo go on leave.
However, last Christmas and New Year’s Eve, some up-and-comers were stunned when they were vetted for the understudy role in favor of Dr. Nick Coatsworth, reported The daily telegraph on Sunday.
Dr. Nick made a name for himself as deputy chief medical officer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acting as an infectious disease expert, he was often seen in front of news cameras to give his expert opinion on vaccines and lockdowns during the outbreak.
Now, he’s been spotted in the top seat on Today alongside journalist Lara Vella and news presenter Maggie Raworth, but some Nine staff aren’t too happy about his addition to the team.
Channel Nine’s ambitious young reporters are reportedly furious at the network for passing them over for a lucrative Today presenting job in favor of Dr Nick Coatsworth. Pictured with substitute co-presenter Lara Vella
“Dr. Nick is an awkward presenter and is not a favorite of producers behind the scenes,” a source said.
“He will never get a hosting position in the future, leaving people wondering why he has been given a coveted position, given that there is no shortage of contenders more than willing and able to jump in.”
Another source said: “Summer is a time to experiment, but some would say perhaps Nine does it too much.”
They went on to add that it’s good practice to “mentor younger staff and introduce tomorrow’s leaders,” but Dr. Nick is “not that.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Nine for comment.
Other Christmas hosts who have taken on the lucrative hosting job from Karl, 50, and Sarah, 39, include Alison Piotrowski and Gavin Morris, as well as former Sunrise presenter Samantha Armytage and meteorologist Dan Anstey.
It’s not the first time Nine has received backlash over the decision to use Dr Nick as Karl’s stand-in presenter while the veteran presenter goes on Christmas break.
Some Today stars were unhappy during the 2023 summer break when Dr. Nick first got the job.
Dr. Nick made a name for himself on television as deputy chief medical officer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According The Australian At the time, “a lot of noses were up” over the decision to put the medical professional in the host position.
Karl’s co-host Sarah was replaced over the holiday season by regular Today show reporter Mia Glover during the last Christmas holiday.
Dr. Nick has made several television appearances over the years as an infectious disease expert.
He currently presents the television program Do you want to live forever? with Tracy Grimshaw
Dr. Nick is married to Dr. Rebecca Pearson, a lung transplant physician, with whom he shares three children.