Ex-Sunrise host David ‘Kochie’ Koch looks unrecognisable in his return to TV screens

Former Sunrise host David “Kochie” Koch has returned to TV screens, with a surprise appearance in Meat and Livestock Australia’s famous annual lamb advertisement.

Many viewers were in stitches when the ad — which tackles one of the most polarising spaces in modern life: the online comments section — premiered on Tuesday night.

Proving just how wild and ridiculous online discourse has become, the ad features 100 per cent real comments.

It starts with a light-hearted debate on dog grooming, and then how to make a perfect cup of tea.

But things quickly spiral into full-blown arguments over AI and wind farms, as even the calmest commenters find themselves caught up in the conflict.

Just as tensions peak, the camera cuts to “Lambassador” Sam Kekovich — cutlet in hand to rouse commenters out of their arguments, with their shared love of lamb soon bringing them together in real life.

Kochie is seen flexing his media muscles in the ad via an AI version of himself.

Kekovich spoke about the former breakfast show host’s role in the ad when he joined Monique Wright and Michael Usher on Sunrise on Wednesday.

“To Kochie’s eternal credit, he recognised very early that when we skew from the comments and into the cutlets, all the attributes of being a great Australian were redefined,” he said.

“It was a no-brainer. Kochie is one guy who depicts the spirit and the essence of the Australian character being fair dinkum, being, you know, humorous, loving life, and nothing too personal.”

Kekovich said he loves a good barbecue — and not just because he is the “Lambassador”.

“Everyone thinks I’m a great barbecuer — which I am, without self-praise — but I do love a good barbie,” he said.

“The more people around the barbie and rejoicing living in the best country on the planet, there’s a lot going for it.

“We’ve got all of our differences, (but) the iconic barbecue is lamb.”

Kekovich also praised “the Australian farmer who has done a magnificent job in great adversity”.

Kekovich said he wanted the advert to strike a playful tone.

“We live in the best country in the world. You know, we have a privilege of a democracy. We’ve got freedom of speech. We can go where we want to go. We can love who we want to love, and we can eat lamb together,” he said.

Meat and Livestock Australia general manager of marketing and insights Nathan Low said the ad was a bit of fun.

“When you delve into the world of online commentary, it would leave you thinking Aussies are at each other’s throats, no matter how trivial the topic. But in real life, we don’t treat each other like that,” Low said.

“The summer lamb campaign is an irreverent reminder that Australians are always at their best when we’re united, and there’s no better way to bring everyone together than an epic Aussie lamb barbecue.”