Peter Overton has revealed he was offered Karl Stefanovic‘s job as Today co-host alongside wife Jessica Rowe.
The veteran newsreader dropped the bombshell on Rowe’s Big Talk Show podcast on Wednesday.
‘I remember them (Channel Nine executives) also saying, “Oh, maybe you and Jessica could host the show together?” Overton said, as his wife gasped at the memory.
Today show bombshell: Nine newsreader Peter Overton reveals he was offered Karl Stefanovic’s role as Today show host alongside wife Jessica Rowe
Overton continued, ‘I said, “You’re kidding me? You’re going to ruin two careers, ruin a marriage and ruin a program in one hit? No thank you.”
Karl Stefanovic was Rowe’s co-host at the time, suggesting that Overton would potentially have taken over his role.
Overton also revealed his fury at learning that Rowe had subsequently been fired from the morning show.
‘I was ready to quit Channel Nine because I was so upset at the way you were treated,’ Overton recalled, before adding that his wife of 18 years talked him out of the stance.
‘You said to me, “We’ve got a mortgage to pay buster, don’t make a stupid decision”.’
Rowe added that she’d advised her husband: ‘We can’t implode two of our careers at the same time. It would be a disaster.’
Nine news anchor Peter Overton and his wife, former Studio 10 presenter Jessica Rowe, have already started having conversations about consent with their daughters Allegra, 14, and Giselle, 12.
It comes after Sydney private high school student Chanel Contos’ started a petition urging for consent to be taught in schools last year.
The veteran news presenter said it is a regular topic of discussion amongst the family and something they try to be honest and candid about.
Nine news anchor Peter Overton and his wife, former Studio 10 presenter Jessica Rowe, have already started having conversations about consent with their daughters Allegra, 14, and Giselle, 12
‘Consent is very much a conversation in our house,’ he said. ‘I’ve got to say Jessica and I are very, very open and encouraging in communicating with them,’ he told 9Honey.
Overton said Contos’ petition was a big a big push for their daughters to become more interested in the topic.
‘That really engaged our daughters. I believe our girls are very mature and they understand about that subject matter,’ he continued.
The veteran news presenter said consent is regular topic of discussion amongst the family and something they try to be honest and candid about
The Channel Nine star explained that he and wife Jessica create the conversation in the household, with Peter providing a male perspective on the topic
The Channel Nine star said that he and wife Jessica create the conversation in the household, with Peter providing a male perspective on the topic.
Peter said that the couple’s youngest daughter Giselle has become quite opinionated on the topic and is strongly supportive of consent education.
‘Giselle is very strong on it being taught in school and it should be not brushed over,’ the TV journalist said.
Education on consent will become mandatory in every Australian school after a landmark ruling by state and federal ministers.
‘Giselle is very strong on it being taught in school’: He said the couple’s youngest daughter Giselle has become quite opinionated on the topic and is strongly supportive of consent education
Federal Senator Jonathon Duniam confirmed education officials would meet in April to finalise a new curriculum which includes consent education.
Teachers will give children from prep to Year 12 age-appropriate lessons about the importance of gaining permission, power imbalances and coercion.
Former Sydney private school student Contos has pushed for the change and launched a petition called Teach Us Consent – which advocates for earlier and improved sex education.
She helped design the proposal for the curriculum, which will be implemented from 2023 onwards.
Change: Former Sydney private school student Chanel Contos, 22, (pictured) started a petition when she realised last year she and her friend were both sexually assaulted by the same person as teenagers
