After 12 years on Today weatherman Stevie Jacobs has announced he’s taking a step back to spend more time with family.
After 300 days a year on the road, in all kinds of conditions, the 49-year-old breakfast program presenter was joined on air by his wife and two girls on Thursday morning to reveal he was hanging up his brolly.
“Monday to Friday, for the past 12 years, I haven’t been able to wake up once with my wife, haven’t been able to get the kids to daycare,” Steve said.
Tears began to flow on the panel but Stevie was able to offer some consolation saying he wouldn’t be disappearing from Today all together.
“I’ve decided to hang up my boots from Monday to Friday, but the good news is our beautiful esteemed leader Mark Calvert [Today show’s executive producer] has come up with a great program to make my work more flexible so I can stay with you guys,” Jacobs explained.
“So I’ll still be on the show doing the Knock of Cash and little heroes, and I’ll be joining the weekend team and doing some weather there.”
“I am still as passionate about Today as I have ever been and proud of our success this year. I want to continue to be part of that. I love the bond I have with my on-air family and am very excited to remain part of that winning formula.”
Of the announcement Today host Karl Stefanovic remarked that his colleague would be dearly missed and said “no one works harder”.
“You are a true broadcaster, you are a smart broadcaster, but mostly you are a wonderful human being,” Karl said as he wished Steve well.
No word yet on who Stevie’s permanent weather replacement is but, needless to say, they’ve got some pretty big gumboots to fill.
Good luck Stevie – we’ll miss you! And so will the birds…
