Source: TODAY
TODAY host Karl Stefanovic is forced to discuss Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's public breakup amid reports of his own marriage split.
Today host Karl Stefanovic has been placed in an awkward situation, having to discuss Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt public split on air amid reports of his own marriage breakdown.
The popular host who is a former TVNZ reporter put on a jovial performance on the breakfast show's set this morning after his no-show yesterday.
Stefanovic failed to front cameras on Tuesday following the weekend's revelations he had split with wife Cassandra Thorburn and moved in to mate James Packer's Bondi pad. Co-host Lisa Wilkinson explained his absence was due to a 60 Minutes assignment.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are divorcing two years after they got married. Photo / AP
But despite appearing mostly in good spirits when he returned this morning, the network star was challenged with a topic that required delicate handling.
Hosting the daily Mixed Grill segment, which can often get heated as panellists debate controversial news stories, Stefanovic raised the day's "big media story", celebrity couple's Brangelina's divorce.
"You can obviously argue it is no one's business what is going on inside there, but they are high profile, it is a tough one," he said.
The issue over celebrity couples' right to privacy was debated by guests News Corp's Sarrah Le Marquand and Nine's finance editor Ross Greenwood.
"You can't expect anything other than for it to fold out before the media ... I definitely feel for them, but like I say, of course it is going to play out before the world," Le Marquand said.
Stefanovic went on to raise the issue of how difficult the public split would be for the Jolie Pitt children.
He appeared visibly concerned as he spoke of the couple's difficulty in trying to look after their children as their separation plays out in public.
"That fishbowl, I would imagine, would be very difficult if you are living inside of it. Trying to repair or trying to look after your kids as well," he said.
Stefanovic has been dealing with protecting his own privacy issues this week as well.
Karl and Cassandra with their three children - Jackson, Ava and River. Photo / News Limited
His wife, Cass, was photographed stepping out to do the daily school run for the couple's three children - Jack, 16, Ava, 11 and River, 10 - while he was manning the Today desk.
He was photographed leaving the network's Willoughby headquarters on Monday, with paparazzi reportedly following him from work and losing him somewhere near the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Stefanovic was yesterday spotted at a Bondi coffee shop, close to Packer's apartment, while the show went on without him.
The TV star and his wife of 21 years have not commented on reports their marriage was over, and it is understood Stefanovic and Thorburn are trying to repair their relationship.
