Sarah Abo: Today presenter reportedly fuming over Karl Stefanovic’s comments

Today show presenter Sarah Abo has reportedly been left reeling over the events that led to former co-host Karl Stefanovic’s departure from Nine and his morning TV duties.

Stefanovic’s decision to platform British far-right commentator and anti-immigration advocate Tommy Robinson on his solo podcast ultimately forced Nine to terminate his employment with the network after 26 years.

For Abo, who is the product of an immigrant family and Stefanovic’s close friend, his comments are said to have hit close to home.

“Sarah has done what few women in breakfast television have managed to do, which is to create a real rapport and genuine chemistry with Karl,” a source told Daily Mail.

“They are absolutely close friends. Through all their early mornings at the desk together, he had a front-row seat to her fertility struggles and the pain of her miscarriages, and she was one of his biggest supporters and sounding boards.

“They trusted each other. So for him to go down this path of platforming anti-immigration influencers – when she herself is a first-generation immigrant — right at a time she’s about to have a baby feels like a real slap in the face to Sarah and their friendship.”

Abo appeared visibly emotional as she shared the news of Stefanovic’s exit on the Today show after his sacking was confirmed in late June.

“He’s our mate and he’s our colleague, and it goes without saying that Karl’s presence will be missed,” she told viewers as she held back tears.

Stefanovic had been pursuing his podcast separate to work with Nine for several months — featuring interviews with Pauline Hanson and several right-wing guests — before his divisive interview with Robinson.

Although his episode with the Brit was pulled just hours after it went live, the backlash was sudden and enough to force his former network’s hand.

Stefanovic did not support the views of Robinson, though did fail to challenge any of his views, telling him, “I really do admire your tenacity and your courage”.

At one point, the Aussie even uttered “God, I love ya” to the man who had once served 12 months in jail for assault on police, and who founded the anti-Islamic English Defence League.

A fortuitously timed pre-planned interview with UK personality Piers Morgan followed, which took place just hours after Stefanovic learned of his axing.

The Aussie suggested he could now do as he pleased without a network watching over his shoulder, as Morgan labelled his interviewer’s network TV departure “ridiculous”.

“It’s your right to have anyone you want on your podcast and to ask questions . . . I just don’t understand what Channel Nine are thinking,” Morgan said.

“What happened to you is very reminiscent to what happened to me.”