Sarah Abo announces early departure from Today Show for maternity leave after Karl Stefanovic scandal

Today Show host Sarah Abo has announced her early exit from the scandal-plagued breakfast show, weeks after Karl Stefanovic’s shock departure.

Heavily pregnant, Abo apologised to her 91,300 Instagram followers for having “been a bit MIA” as her maternity leave approaches.

She then revealed that the “curveball” would be responsible for her going on maternity leave earlier than anticipated.

“Copped a bit of a curveball last week with high blood pressure and have been in and out of hospital since.. thankfully I’m in the safe hands of magnificent doctors, nurses and midwives taking incredibly good care of bub and me and we are both well,” she wrote.

“They have ordered rest as they monitor me though! Which means I won’t make it back to (the Today Show) to say goodbye to all you wonderful people before so abruptly heading off on maternity leave.. I’m sorry.”

Abo said she had to “pinch herself” thinking about all of the support and kindness she had received, especially in the past few weeks.

“And to all the gorgeous viewers who have so generously sent cards and gifts to my lucky little man, I had been meaning to get back to you all individually - it just might take me a bit longer to do so.. but just know how incredibly grateful I am,” she wrote.

Abo revealed her much-longed for pregnancy during an emotional on-air segment in March and spoke about the “bumpy ride” involved in her IVF treatment.

“It hasn’t been the easiest journey to get here, which a lot of people I know have gone through and will go through,” she said.

“I know that a lot of our viewers will be going through this too, and it’s not as easy as a lot of people think that it will be. It has been a bit of a bumpy ride but here we are … we’re almost halfway now, and things are going well, it’s good.”

She also revealed she suffered two miscarriages while trying to get pregnant with her husband of 13 years, Cyrus Moran.

“Obviously I’m so thrilled to be sharing with you all, but I’m still terrified,” an emotional Abo said.

Her early departure comes after a few tumultuous weeks at the Today Show, which has been plagued by scandal since Stefanovic hosted controversial, right-wing figure Tommy Robinson on his podcast.

Abo fought back tears as she announced Stefanovic’s departure from the breakfast show at the end of June.

“Karl will not be returning to the Today show or to Nine,” she told viewers.

Filling in during Stefanovic’s absence, Tom Steinfort explained the decision had been made because of the veteran broadcaster’s independent podcast.

“As you know, he has been presenting a podcast project independently of Nine for the last few months and it’s been decided he will be injecting all of his energy and attention into that and doing both is no longer possible,” he said.

The hosts acknowledged the announcement would come as a shock to viewers, with Abo, her voice shaking, describing Stefanovic as “a mate” and saying his presence on the program would be deeply missed.

- With NCA