Today Show host Sarah Abo was forced to take early maternity leave, marking a new blow for the morning show.
A pregnant Abo shared the news on her Instagram Story on Wednesday morning, saying she had “got over the curve” and would not be returning to the show before she went on vacation.
“Sorry, I’ve been a bit MIA – I had a bit of trouble with high blood pressure on Wednesday afternoon and have been in and out of hospital since,” she wrote.
“Thankfully, I am in the capable hands of amazing medical professionals who are taking incredible care of me and Baba.”
“They told me to rest, even though they’re watching me! Which means I won’t be back on (the Today show) to say goodbye to you wonderful people before I suddenly go on maternity leave.”
Presenters Sylvia Jeffreys and Charles Croucher shared the news with Today viewers later Wednesday morning.
“We wanted to share a little news from home with you this morning because, of course, many of our wonderful Today show viewers have been wondering where lovely Sarah is,” Jefferies said.
“She wanted us to share that although her little man is not here yet, she suffered a minor injury last week due to high blood pressure and has been in and out of the hospital.”
Today, sports presenter Danica Mason, who announced her pregnancy two weeks ago, was one of the first to comment on Abo’s post, writing: “Get some rest, we can’t wait to meet the little man.”
Reporter Mia Glover also shared her well wishes, writing, “We love you and this little grandma already!! Continue to relax, we will miss you!!”
Former Today co-host Deborah Knight urged Abo to “take care of yourself and your bubba.”
Abo opened up about her long-awaited pregnancy during an emotional broadcast in March and opened up about the “bumpy road” surrounding her IVF treatment.
“It hasn’t been the easiest path to get here that a lot of people I know have gone through and will go through,” Abo said.
“I know a lot of our viewers will be going through this too, and it’s not as easy as a lot of people think. It’s been a bit of a rocky road, but we’re here… we’re almost halfway there and things are going well, which is good.”
She also revealed that she suffered two miscarriages while trying to get pregnant with her husband of 13 years, Cyrus Moran.
“Obviously I’m so excited to share with you all, but I’m still terrified,” an emotional Abo said.
“I still find it hard to believe that this is happening, and I will lean into it and enjoy it, but a lot of people understand what it means to have that cautious optimism.”
Abo’s sudden departure comes shortly after Stevanovic’s controversial departure from the Nine Network, following his podcast episode with British far-right figure Tommy Robinson.
Abo fought back tears when she announced Stefanovic’s “immediate” departure from the show late last month, calling her longtime co-host a “friend.”
“We wish it didn’t end like this and we could say goodbye to you, Carl, our friend, in a different way.”
Musical chairs
The beleaguered morning show descended into chaos after presenter Stefanovic and Nine split at the end of June following his controversial podcast interview with British right-wing influencer Tommy Robinson.
Stefanovic took time off from the show to travel to the UK for a series of interviews for his personal podcast The Karl Stefanovic Show, and the fallout from his interview with Robinson led to crisis talks with Nine executives.
By the end of the week, Stefanovic’s ten-year career with the Nines had come to an end.
Management later announced that Stefanovic should leave the channel by the end of the year.
Since then, a number of replacement anchors have taken his place, including Melbourne 6pm news anchor Tom Stainforth, former Canberra political reporter Charles Croucher and Brisbane news anchor Joel Dry.
Abo’s sudden departure will also cause management headaches as a replacement has yet to be announced.
It was previously reported that former Today reader Sivia Jeffries, who was in the chair on Wednesday, and Samantha Armytage are rumored to be favorites to replace Abo.
Even more to come