Karl Stefanovic laughs off pay gap row

Today show host Karl Stefanovic has publicly addressed the rumours surrounding the reason Lisa Wilkinson left Channel Nine while MCing an event in Sydney today.

Speaking on stage at the Wharf4Ward fundraising event alongside Channel Nine stablemate Richard 'Dickie' Wilkins, Karl mentioned the pay row reportedly at the heart of Lisa Wilkinson's departure from the Nine network.

“Let’s get the elephant out of the room straight away. Dickie and I are being paid the same to be here today." Karl said.

In a shock announcement last week, Lisa Wilkinson revealed she would not return to the Today show and will be starting a new role at rival network Channel Ten's with The Project.

Her exit from the network after 10 years came after speculation surrounding her salary expectations, with reports the 57-year-old demanded the same pay as her co-host Karl.

• Insider spills on Karl Stefanovic's pay deal

• Lisa Wilkinson 'never got to say goodbye'

"I have some news. I'm sad to say that today was my last day on @the today show. The following statement is from Channel Nine..." she wrote on Twitter last Monday.

He went on to say they were being paid “absolutely nothing” for the charity gig that aims to raise funds for people affected by cancer.

The annual Wharf4Ward event aims to raise funds for Sony Foundation’s youth cancer program, ‘You Can’.

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