The race is officially on to replace one of Australia’s biggest television stars.Today host Karl Stefanovic reportedly set to leave Channel Nine following the fallout from his controversial interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.Industry speculation has already turned to who could inherit one of the most coveted jobs in breakfast television.Stefanovic, 51, is understood to have been told by Nine executives that the network wanted to part ways after advertiser concerns intensified following the release of the podcast episode, which was later deleted from YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.While Nine is yet to officially announce a permanent replacement, several familiar faces have already emerged as leading contenders to take over alongside Sarah Abo.Daily Mail can reveal the names currently dominating industry chatter. The race is officially on to replace Karl Stefanovic (pictured) following the fallout from his controversial interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson For now, veteran Nine journalist Tom Steinfort has stepped into the role while Stefanovic remains absent from the Today desk. (Pictured with co-host Sarah Abo)Tom SteinfortFor now, veteran Nine journalist Tom Steinfort has stepped into the role alongside Sarah Abo while Stefanovic remains absent from the Today desk.The respected reporter is no stranger to filling in on the breakfast program and is viewed internally as a dependable, experienced broadcaster capable of handling breaking news, politics and major interviews.Should Nine opt for stability over a headline-grabbing appointment, Steinfort could easily transition into the role permanently.His calm presenting style and long-standing relationship with the network make him an obvious favourite. Michael Atkinson Another name gaining momentum is Nine News Sydney presenter Michael Atkinson.The polished journalist has impressed executives with his calm delivery and growing profile across the network’s news coverage.While he lacks the entertainment pedigree of Stefanovic, Atkinson represents a younger generation of presenters capable of steering Today in a more news-focused direction.Some insiders believe Nine may choose to refresh the program’s image rather than simply replicate Stefanovic’s style. The respected reporter is no stranger to filling in on the breakfast program Another name gaining momentum is Nine News Sydney presenter Michael Atkinson. (Pictured beside Alison Piotrowski)Michael ‘Wippa’ WipfliPerhaps the most surprising name being floated is radio favourite Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli.The Nova breakfast star has long expressed ambitions beyond radio and already boasts strong chemistry with television audiences through various guest appearances and hosting gigs.His humour, personality and broad mainstream appeal could inject fresh energy into Today if Nine decides viewers are looking for a more entertainment-driven breakfast program. While Wippa has little experience hosting rolling television news, his popularity and commercial appeal make him an intriguing outsider.Matt ShirvingtonSunrise co-host Matt Shirvington is also understood to be high on many executives’ wish lists.According to insiders, Nine bosses approached the Olympian last week to secure a recognisable face. But it seems the network came out of the negotiations empty-handed, with reports Seven caught wind of the talks and quickly offered him a long-term contract. Perhaps the most surprising name being floated is radio favourite Michael ‘Wippa’ WipfliKarl has spent more than 25 years at the network and has fronted Today for much of the past two decades, becoming one of Australia’s most recognisable media personalities.His exit follows intense backlash over his independently produced podcast interview with Robinson, which discussed immigration, Islam and Australian politics before being swiftly removed online.Nine previously stressed the podcast was produced independently and was not affiliated with the network, but confirmed it was taking the controversy seriously.It comes amid reports Stefanovic is ‘set to resign’ in the coming days.On Wednesday evening, The Sydney Morning Herald confirmed Stefanovic’s departure from Nine, indicating the decision was made in part to ‘defuse a major advertiser boycott.’Stefanovic, who is currently on two weeks’ leave in London, was told the network ‘wanted to part ways’. He is expected to depart immediately.The TV star, who has been a Nine stalwart for some 25 years, has six months and over $1million left to be paid on his 12-month contract.According to sources via news.com.au, he is pushing for a full payout of the remainder of his contract – similar to the lucrative exits secured by former Nine radio heavyweights Alan Jones and Ray Hadley – despite their vastly different departure circumstances. Sunrise co-host Matt Shirvington is also understood to be high on many executives’ wish lists Sources also claim Stefanovic was seeking to be released from his contract as soon as possible to pursue other media opportunities.The Australian had earlier reported that Stefanovic has ‘almost certainly’ appeared on the breakfast show for the last time. A source told the Daily Mail on Wednesday evening that Stefanovic was indeed ‘gone’.The network was huddled in ’11th hour closed-door meetings’ in Sydney on Wednesday to determine his exit from the station.The Daily Mail sought comment from Channel Nine and a representative for Stefanovic. Stefanovic – who has been branded ‘Joe Bogan’ thanks to his attempt at replicating the success of Joe Rogan’s podcast – sparked controversy when he published the interview with Robinson which discussed Islam, immigration and Australian politics. By Wednesday morning, the interview had vanished from Spotify, Apple Podcasts and The Karl Stefanovic Show YouTube channel.Meanwhile, activist group Mad F**king Witches (MFW) announced that it had launched a campaign against Stefanovic over the podcast with Robinson. Stefanovic, who is currently on two weeks’ leave in London, was told the network ‘wanted to part ways’ on Wednesday evening and is expected to depart the network immediately The Today show star uploaded the controversial chat with the British far-right activist to his YouTube channel podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, on Tuesday, only to delete it a short time later after facing widespread backlash. (Pictured: Tommy Robinson)The grassroots organisation is known for launching advertising boycotts against media figures, having previously targeted Kyle Sandilands. ‘Nine should be well aware: them taking Karl’s podcast down won’t stop us. In fact, it makes us even angrier they seem to think we’re so easily fooled and silenced,’ the organisation wrote on X.In a statement to Daily Mail on Wednesday before Stefanovic’s resignation, a Nine spokesperson said his podcast was produced independently, and while it had no affiliation with the TV network, they were treating the matter seriously.’The Karl Stefanovic Show is a completely independent production,’ a spokesperson told Daily Mail.’Nine has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes.’However, Nine is taking this matter seriously.’Pauline Hanson backed her ‘good friend’ Stefanovic before his resignation by uploading his pulled interview with Robinson to her own YouTube channel.Hanson weighed in on the saga on X, accusing the Nine Network of trying to ‘sack’ the Today show host. Stefanovic – who has been branded ‘Joe Bogan’ thanks to his attempts at replicating the success of Joe Rogan’s podcast – sparked controversy this week when he published an interview with divisive far-right commentator Robinson ‘It looks like they’re trying to sack my good friend Karl Stefanovic for this video with Tommy Robinson!’ she wrote.Hanson then criticised Nine’s performance and management and justified sharing Stefanovic’s interview as a warning about immigration and extremism, arguing he was raising issues Australians need to confront.’Deb Knight was a huge flop for Channel 9 and while she was busy grilling me over One Nation’s polling, Channel 9’s ratings were in the toilet,’ she added.’In 2019 on live TV with her, I called on Channel 9 to bring back Karl. Now with six months to go on his contract the weak management of Channel 9 want to sack Karl over this interview.’Tommy Robinson has a lesson for Australians. If we don’t learn from the UK’s mistakes on immigration and radical Islam, we are going to face the same destruction. This is exactly what Karl was trying to bring to Australia’s attention.’Hanson then concluded her post by asking: ‘Have Channel 9 become just as bad as the ABC?’Robinson has been a prominent figure in right-wing activism in the UK for almost a decade, and has a lengthy criminal record. Stefanovic, who has been a Nine stalwart for some 25 years, has six months and over $1million left to be paid on his current 12-month contract. Pictured with wife JasmineHis convictions include violence, public order offences, contempt of court, stalking and harassing journalists, as well as financial and immigration fraud. Stefanovic, one of Australia’s most famous television presenters, has taken to interviewing right-wing personalities on his podcast, which he launched in January.He has welcomed the likes of Hanson, and others from the party such as Barnaby Joyce and Sean Bell, onto the show.Other right-wing guests include former Liberal prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, and Coalition figures Alex Antic, Matt Canavan and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.