Sarah Abo has addressed her early exit from the Today show, confirming that she will not return to the program due to health complications.
The 39-year-old presenter, who is pregnant with her first child, has been absent from the program since she signed off last week and will not receive an on-air farewell.
Posting to Instagram on Wednesday, Abo shared a lengthy post explaining that she had been dealing with high blood pressure.
‘Copped a bit of a curveball last week with high blood pressure and have been in and out of hospital since,’ she wrote next to two photos of herself in hospital.
‘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. They have ordered rest as they monitor me though!’
Sarah said the unexpected change meant she would not return to Today for a final farewell.
Sarah Abo has addressed her early exit from the Today show, confirming that she will not return to the program due to health complications
Posting to Instagram on Wednesday, Abo shared a lengthy post explaining that she had been dealing with high blood pressure. She shared this picture of herself lying in hospital with husband Cyrus Moran by her side watching sport
Abo also thanked fans for the outpouring of support she has received in recent weeks, saying she was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to her and her growing family
Abo also thanked fans for the outpouring of support she has received in recent weeks, saying she was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to her and her growing family.
‘I seriously pinch myself when I think about how many good people there are out there. So special.’
The journalist reserved special praise for her husband Cyrus Moran, crediting him for supporting her throughout the difficult period.
‘Shout out to my rock who has not left my side,’ she joked, adding: ‘Harry Kane or Lionel Messi ain’t got nothing on this guy!!’
Abo also acknowledged the many viewers who had sent cards and gifts for her unborn son, apologising that it may take her longer than expected to respond personally.
‘Just know how incredibly grateful I am,’ she said.
She finished her message with a reminder for followers to prioritise their health, writing: ‘A reminder to make sure you look after yourself – pregnant or not!’
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Today’s stand-in hosts Sylvia Jeffreys and Charles Croucher had announced Abo would not be returning to the breakfast program, and would not be getting an on-air farewell.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Today’s stand-in hosts Sylvia Jeffreys (right) and Charles Croucher (left) had announced Abo would not be returning to the breakfast program, and would not be getting an on-air farewell
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They revealed Abo had hoped to return to the show for an official farewell, but that doctors had told her to rest.
‘We were looking forward to saying goodbye to her, but doctors’ orders mean that that’s not possible right now,’ Croucher said.
Jeffreys added: ‘She is reading all of your messages, she wants you to know, particularly these past few weeks, and it means the world to her, so please keep them coming in as well.’
The lack of an on-air send-off comes at a time when the Today show is navigating one of the most challenging chapters in its history, following the departure of Karl Stefanovic.
Stefanovic abruptly resigned from the network last month after his interview with far-right figure Tommy Robinson, which he uploaded to his podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, to YouTube, only to delete it hours later after facing backlash.
In a statement to The Daily Mail, Channel Nine said that Stefanovic could not continue working at the network while also hosting his podcast.
Stefanovic’s exit has already fuelled widespread speculation about the future direction of the breakfast program.
Last week, it was reported that Channel Nine is weighing a dramatic overhaul that could see fan favourites Richard Wilkins and Danika Mason shown the door.
The lack of an on-air send-off comes at a time when the Today Show is navigating one of the most challenging chapters in its history, following the departure of Karl Stefanovic (left)
Last week, it was reported that Channel Nine is weighing a dramatic overhaul that could see fan favourites Richard Wilkins (left) and Danika Mason shown the door
As the network scrambles to fill the void left by Stefanovic’s axing, insiders have revealed a top-secret plan that would see the Today show relocate to Melbourne as part of a sweeping reboot aimed at reviving the struggling breakfast franchise.
According to news.com.au, the proposal would see the Today show rebuilt around Syrian-born Sarah Abo – who grew up in Melbourne – when a major relaunch gets underway in 2027.
But the Melbourne relocation proposal is not a new idea.
It was first floated by legendary former Nine boss Sam Chisholm more than two decades ago, approximately one year after Stefanovic’s rocky debut as a Today show host.
Now, it’s understood the proposal is once again being seriously considered as anxious Nine executives leave no stone unturned in their bid to revive the fortunes of Australia’s longest-running breakfast TV program.
Insiders say that the dramatic shift may trigger a staff reshuffle for those in front of and behind the camera.
Among those understood to be under review is veteran entertainment editor Richard Wilkins, a Today show fixture for decades and one of Stefanovic’s closest on-air allies.
Sports presenter Danika Mason is also said to be facing an uncertain future under the proposed overhaul.
The Melbourne move was first floated by former Nine boss Sam Chisholm more than two decades ago, after Karl Stefanovic’s rocky debut as a Today show host
However, Mason may have already mapped out her own exit strategy after revealing last week that she is expecting her first child with ex-NRL player and fiancé Liam Knight.
‘Because of Nine’s inability to address this inequality, this talent imbalance, it has ended up with a program with one dominant personality surrounded by a support cast of beta personalities,’ a TV executive told news.com.au.
‘All of the cast, including Abo, will need to be re-marketed, repositioned, as a result. Only then can Nine hope to make inroads against Sunrise. It’s got a big job ahead.’
Insiders also suggest it’s a rare window of opportunity to tear up the existing format and reinvent the Today show from the ground up – with viewers abandoning the show in growing numbers and heavily pregnant co-host Sarah Abo preparing to step away on maternity leave within weeks.
The once-dominant program now finds itself marooned in second place behind Seven’s seemingly unstoppable Sunrise, with the ratings gap widening dramatically.
As of last month, Sunrise was pulling in 456,000 viewers nationally – more than double the Today show’s audience of 226,000 viewers.
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