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Report: Has Karl Stefanovic been hiding a big secret?

With rumours of an impending divorce from wife Cassandra Thorburn reaching fever-pitch, it's been claimed that Channel Nine's banned its stars from doing publicity in a bid to protect TV host Karl Stefanovic.

According to reports, execs at the network want to shield Today host Karl and his colleagues from tricky questions, and now New Idea magazine is sensationally claiming that's because he's sitting on a 'bombshell secret'.

Just last week, his soon-to-be sister-in-law and fellow Today star Sylvia Jeffreys mysteriously cancelled an interview and shoot, citing 'time constraints'.

Karl and Cassandra split last month. Photo: Getty Images
Karl and Cassandra split last month. Photo: Getty Images

And when then Today crew recently headed up to the Gold Coast, a Nine source claims TV bosses made sure all their major talent was unavailable for interviews.

Even Sonia Kruger's rumoured to be part of the blackout, having declined to do press for the Cosmopolitan Women of the Year Awards, despite being one of the biggest names in the mix.

So why the secrecy?

Sonia Kruger is believed to be part of ban. Photo: Getty Images
Sonia Kruger is believed to be part of ban. Photo: Getty Images

New Idea doesn't make it clear what secret Karl's supposedly trying to hide.

But it does claim that despite denials of any ban from Nine, the network is worried that negative headlines about Karl could damage ratings.

Meanwhile, having reportedly moved out of the family home he shared with Cass, 44, and their children Jackson, 16, Ava, 11 and River 10, it's been claimed the split was sparked by Karl'd decision to disappear with his mates for a boozy party after the Logies.

Karl is reportedly staying at James Packer's Bondi apartment. Photo: Getty Images
Karl is reportedly staying at James Packer's Bondi apartment. Photo: Getty Images

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He's now believed to be staying at James Packer's Bondi apartment, while Cass and the kids are expected to move into the $7million harbour-front mansion they'd just bough.

Which perhaps explains Karl's quip last week! When asked by co-host Lisa Wilkinson how much he thought his partner was worth, he joked, 'heaps'.

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