After 20 years on the air, Kochie has quit Sunrise. 

The veteran TV personality shocked viewers as he shared the news of his retirement live on Monday morning’s show, getting teary-eyed as he shared why he is “hanging up the boots”. 

“Before we move on, just a bit of news for me,” the 67-year-old began.

“I have decided to hang up the boots as co-host of Sunrise. After nearly 21 years and over 5300 shows…” he stopped, holding back tears as his co-host Nar Barr got emotional. “Nat, stop it.”

He continued, “…And 16,000 hours of live TV, it is now time to work in business hours and have a bit of flexibility to focus more on our big family and the family business. And frankly, my football club as well.”

“So after 20 consecutive premierships in the breakfast TV ratings game, I’m frankly finding it harder to get off the ground to take those marks and I think it’s time to bring to the next generation.”

 
 
 
 
 
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Kochie went on to say he started at the Channel Seven breakfast show “before Facebook, before Instagram, Twitter and iPhones… Yes, that’s how old I am.”

“I have loved every single minute of my time at Sunrise, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the last 21 years.”

“I’ve been privileged to experience so many adventures, to meet so many incredible people and to cover so many moments of history in the making. It really is the world’s best job.”

Co-host Nat Barr stepped in to say, “The show would not be what it is today without you. It’s been an amazing ride and we’re going to celebrate that in the next two weeks.”

Kochie will step away from the Sunrise desk in two weeks time, saying he would miss working with the entire Sunrise team, but gave special shoutouts to co-hosts Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta and producer Dave Walters. 

“I reckon I’ve spent more time with them than my family and it has been an utter joy. I’ll miss the Sunrise viewers who have energised me every single day.”

“Sunrise has always been bigger than just one person, and now seems the right time to exit stage left. Thank you for having me.”

Image credits: SunriseÂ