Where in the world is Karl Stefanovic? Cryptic video sparks speculation former Today host is hiding out in Europe after he left the show - and it is not the first time

Sam Newman and Eddie McGuire have sparked speculation that Karl Stefanovic may be hiding out in France following his exit from Nine.

The long-time friends, who once hosted The Footy Show together, filmed a video while having lunch at the La Brigantine restaurant in La Croix-Valmer in the South of France. 

Newman, 80, uploaded the clip of the pair dining with their partners to YouTube, in which McGuire, 61, confessed he was in Europe to interview Stefanovic. 

The video began with Newman and his partner, Olympian Sue Stanley, enjoying coffee together at a café near their hotel.

Soon, they left to meet McGuire and his wife Carla at the restaurant. 

'I said we were meeting international guests and someone said, "Say hello to Karl." I'll say hello to Carla [Eddie's wife],' Newman joked as he greeted the couple. 

'I've come to find Karl, actually. I'm interviewing next week,' McGuire responded as the four of them sat down at a table.

Newman went on to ask McGuire to explain what has been happening with Stefanovic, 51, and their new ARN radio show, The Long Weekend. 

'Well, you've been pushed off the top of the pops as far as having right-wing, extremist interviews,' McGuire joked.

'That's why I'm here, to actually interview the interviewer... Well, partly, I'm here for a holiday as well, but I'm going to catch up with him and interview for Gold [Network].'

McGuire and Stefanovic were revealed as the top-talent hosts of The Long Weekend on Gold Network in May. 

Stefanovic has since only hosted two of the three released episodes of the show, deciding not to appear on radio last week amid his exit from Nine.

'Is he [Stefanovic] in good spirits?' Newman queried McGuire. 

'I don't know... He's bouncing around at the moment. He's finished his suite of interviews that he's organised,' McGuire said. 

'Now he's sort of working out what the rest of his life looks like.'

McGuire then went on to say he was 'hoping to do an interview' with Stefanovic in the coming days in time for The Long Weekend show on Friday.

Whether or not Stefanovic is already in France or set to arrive in the country this week is unclear. 

The former Today host was on two weeks' leave in London when it was revealed he would be leaving the Today show after his controversial interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

However, there has been speculation that Stefanovic recently fled the city and jetted off to Europe amid the media storm surrounding his exit from Nine. 

Some have even suggested he was in France when he filmed his 'I am free' video on a park bench last week, during which he officially farewelled his Today colleagues and viewers.

'That video of Karl begging for sponsors. He thinks he is cute. Winking… "I don't know what will happen to me," then skipping through the park in the South of France,' a TV personality told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday.

'Nothing screams "Aussie battler" like being on holidays in the South of France. I don't know who is a bigger idiot, Nine or Karl.'

Stefanovic has a history of hiding out overseas when he finds himself at the centre of controversy. 

He did the same when he was first booted from Today in 2018.

At the time, Stefanovic had just married his now-wife Jasmine Yarbrough in an extravagant Mexican wedding.

The couple then fled to Aspen, Colorado, for at least two weeks for his honeymoon amid the media storm surrounding his previous exit from the Today show. 

Stefanovic stayed on with Nine to host the reality program This Time Next Year, before later making a return to Today in 2020. 

He has also been known to escape on James Packer's superyacht, IJE.

Stefanovic was last pictured on the $283 million vessel with wife Jasmine in 2022, spending some quality time with her sister Jade and cricket captain Michael Clarke.

The media veteran also joined Packer for a Mediterranean jaunt on his luxury boat in 2018, just a few months before he left Today for the first time.

In 2017, Stefanovic fled media scrutiny about his divorce from ex-wife of 21 years, Cassandra Thorburn, and hid on Packer's boat with Jasmine.

He made an impromptu exit from the Nine studios to avoid paparazzi at the time and jetted off to Bora Bora for a romantic getaway with his then-new girlfriend.

The couple were believed to have joined a small group of people enjoying a luxury stay aboard Packer's yacht in French Polynesia. 

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Stefanovic may not be able to find a home at a rival network after his departure from Nine. 

Both Channel Ten and Seven have privately ruled out the possibility of hiring Stefanovic, The Australian reported on Sunday.

'Stefanovic is unlikely to front a show on Australian commercial television again,' the publication alleged.

There is some good news, however, with reports suggesting Stefanovic has avoided a court battle with his former employer.

Stefanovic and Nine are believed to have agreed to an undisclosed six-figure settlement as part of his termination package.

The TV star, who has been a Nine stalwart for some 25 years, had six months and over $1 million left to be paid on his 12-month contract.

Stefanovic abruptly resigned from the network last week after his interview with far-right figure Tommy Robinson, which he uploaded to his podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, on YouTube on Tuesday, only to delete it hours later after facing backlash.

The television star, who was on two weeks' leave in London, was told the network 'wanted to part ways' soon after.

In a statement to The Daily Mail, Channel Nine said that Stefanovic could not continue working at the network while also hosting his podcast.