Karl Stefanovic has told critics of controversial neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo, which includes his own network, to âleave him the f*** aloneâ.
The Nine Entertainment star on Monday told a Media Watch investigation he passionately backs Teo, which is a stark turnaround from 2022 when he apologised to his colleagues for his support of under-siege brain surgeon.
Teo was once lauded for taking on high-risk brain tumour patients that other surgeons had written off, but in 2023, he was subject to heavy restrictions on practising medicine due to unprofessional behaviour.
The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission noted two patient deaths and questioned whether the benefits of their surgeries outweighed the significant risk, and whether they gave proper informed consent for the operations.
Teo continues to practice overseas, particularly in China.
Reporting on Teoâs case was highlighted by ABCâs Media Watch on Monday with the program discussing his ties with a News Corp journalist and Stefanovic.
In response to questions from Media Watch, Stefanovic issued a curt email, seen by Daily Mail, stating: âCharlie Teo is a great f***ing Australian. Leave him the f*** alone.â
Teo had recently appeared on The Karl Stefanovic Show in March â a podcast venture he has been increasingly focusing on â and they briefly discussed his controversies, without going into detail about why he was effectively barred from practicing.
Media Watch host Linton Besser said Stefanovicâs podcast glossed over Dr Teoâs sanctions
Teo appeared on Stefanovicâs podcast, which the Channel 9 breakfast TV host has been increasingly focusing on in the last year
Instead, the episode framed Teo as someone being unfairly targeted by zealous red tape.
Stefanovic brought up the sensitive topic by asking: âHow did you get through it, the dramas?â
Teo responded: âI donât want to focus on that because it is incredibly negative and itâs very sad.
ââŚIf youâre a good person, if youâve taken the high road, if you treat your patients well, if you know everything thrown at you is false then you can stand proud.
ââŚI donât want to say this, because it sounds like Iâm big-noting myself, but cream will always rise to the top.
âIf youâre good at what you do and youâre doing it for the right reasons then everything will work out.â
As well as being close friends, Stefanovic is an ambassador for Teoâs foundation.
In 2022 the neurosurgeon was subject to heavy criticism from 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald â all owned by Stefanovicâs employer, Nine.
Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo (above) was effectively barred from practicing in Australia following a series of complaints about misconduct and extreme pricing
Karl Stefanovic (above) is friends with Teo and has continued to defend and promote him
Stefanovic said of Teo (above):Â âCharlie Teo is a great f***ing Australia. Leave him the f*** aloneâ
Those reports highlighted the severe physical toll from some of Teoâs surgeries and the incredibly high price paid by patients.
Stefanovic responded to that campaign with a fierce defence.
âI adore him and I love him and Iâm just sorry this whole thingâs gone on for so long and continues to go on,â Stefanovic told Daily Mail at the time.
âThe pile-on with Charlie is very difficult to watch given how much I know he is committed to the profession and how much great work he does and how many lives heâs saved.
âI would hate to see this guy and all of his talent exterminated from a profession that heâs so gifted at. It would be a travesty.â
Daily Mail later confirmed Stefanovic had apologised to his colleagues at Nine for the comments.
Media Watch host Linton Besser on Monday suggested a bias in favour of Teo by Stefanovic with the downplaying of Teoâs misconduct, despite it being severe enough to be reprimanded by the Medical Council of NSW.
In response to Stefanovicâs expletive-ridden statement on Monday, Besser said: âKarl, itâs not Teo weâre worried about.â
