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Channel Nine staff furious rising star journalists got passed over for lucrative Today hosting gig - as big wigs give the spot to a doctor instead READ MORE: Dr Nick Coatsworth reveals problem with Covid response By KINTA WALSH-COTTON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 23:43, 4 January 2025 | Updated: 23:50, 4 January 2025 e-mail View comments Ambitious young reporters at Channel Nine are reportedly furious at the network for passing them over for a lucrative Today hosting gig over the summer holiday. The breakfast show often tests rising stars' mettle in the hot seat during the six week non-ratings period while regular hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo go on leave. However, this past Christmas and New Year's Eve, some up and comers were left stunned when they were looked over for the fill-in role in favour of Dr Nick Coatsworth, reported The Daily Telegraph on Sunday.
Dr Nick made a name for himself as a deputy chief medical officer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acting as an infectious disease expert, he was often seen fronting news cameras to give his expert opinion on vaccines and lockdowns during the outbreak. Now, he has been spotted in the top dog seat on Today alongside journalist Lara Vella and newsreader Maggie Raworth, but some Nine staffers aren't too happy about his addition to the team.
Ambitious young reporters at Channel Nine are reportedly furious at the network for passing them over for a lucrative Today hosting gig in favour of Dr Nick Coatsworth. Pictured with fill-in co-host Lara Vella 'Dr Nick is an awkward host and not a favourite with producers behind the scenes,' one insider said. 'He is never going to get a hosting role in the future so people are scratching heads as to why he has been given a coveted position given there is no lack 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 bring forward the leaders of tomorrow', bu t Dr Nick 'is not that'. Daily Mail Australia have reached out to Nine for comment.
Other holiday hosts who took over the lucrative hosting gig from Karl, 50, and Sarah , 39, include Alison Piotrowski and Gavin Morris, as well as former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage and weatherman Dan Anstey. It's not the first time Nine has received backlash for the decision to use Dr Nick as a fill-in host for Karl while the veteran presenter goes on his Christmas break. Some Today stars were reportedly unhappy during the 2023 summer break when Dr Nick first got the gig.
Dr Nick made a name for himself on TV as a deputy chief medical officer during the COVID-19 pandemic Read More Dr Nick Coatsworth issues an urgent warning to Australians Albanese's government's proposed law According to The Australian at the time, 'plenty of noses were out of joint' over the decision to put the medical professional in the hosting seat. Karl's co-host Sarah was replaced for the holiday season by regular Today show reporter Mia Glover during the last Christmas holidays. Dr Nick has made several television appearances over the years as an infectious disease expert.
He currently presents the television show 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. Karl Stefanovic Share or comment on this article: Channel Nine staff furious rising star journalists got passed over for lucrative Today hosting gig - as big wigs give the spot to a doctor instead e-mail Add comment.
