Sunrise co-host David Koch has scotched speculation he will be replaced on the Seven Network breakfast show.
Koch has slammed rival network Nine for claiming a former executive producer (EP) planned to change the on-air line up on the popular show.
The Nine Network's A Current Affair released emails sent by former Sunrise EP Adam Boland to the station's bosses suggesting Koch, fellow co-host at the time Mel Doyle and newsreader Natalie Barr be replaced.
However, Koch says the emails were sent three years ago and Boland, who created Sunrise, was not even the EP at the time and his thoughts about the future direction of the show had been rejected.
"Last night on A Current Affair they rehashed a stupid story about an email suggesting that myself and a whole bunch of people ... would be replaced on Sunrise," Koch said.
"It was written back in 2011 by a former EP of the show who wasn't working on the show at the time.
"Adam had well and truly left the show when he wrote the email. A point lost on a rival network last night."
Doyle was replaced last year by Samantha Armytage who described the the claims as "a big steaming pile of poo."
Koch added that “saner heads prevailed”, before news reporter Natalie Barr said: “Yes, much more sane heads. And brilliant minds stepped in."
Armytage then replied: “Yes lucky for you, of course they were sane.”
Their comments attracted online criticisms, with users accusing the Sunrise hosts of making snide remarks about Boland's bipolar disorder.
Armatage has since apologised for her onscreen comments, tweeting: "Apologies to all about this morning's poor choice of words. My grandfather was bipolar. I would NEVER make light of it. Sam."
The ACA story comes as Today is engaged in a head-to-head battle with Sunrise in the all-important breakfast timeslot.
Sunrise has been on top all year and last week won four of the five weekday mornings.
Today's only win last week was on Friday when it trumped the Seven show by a mere 1000 viewers on OzTAM's overnight ratings.
Even on Monday, Sunrise beat Today in the ratings
