Today host Karl Stefanovic drops surprise F-bomb on TV

Karl Stefanovic has been forced to apologise after dropping an “f-bomb” during a discussion about the State of Origin.

The Today show host was interviewing NSW Blues couch Brad Fittler on Wednesday morning when he made the faux pas on live TV.

“As I always say, you’re a great bloke … you could be a Queenslander,” Stefanovic told the NSW coach.

The 48-year-old then uttered a sentence in Italian, before adding: “If you can say that, I think it’s Italian for ‘f-off’’”.

Stefanovic quickly apologised for the coarse language on the show’s early morning broadcast.

“For our Italian friends out there, I didn’t know what it meant,” he said.

“That’s why I said it. Apologies if you were offended.”

Today co-host Sarah Abo later stepped in to double down on Mr Stefanovic’s apology.

“Karl would like to apologise to out Italian viewers out there,” she said.

“We still love you. Prego (please in Italian).”

Tensions were high on the morning show ahead of Wednesday’s opener of the 2023 State of Origin tournament.

Stefanovic called Mr Fittler a “cool bloke” and “great guy”, before asking the coach how he felt ahead of the game.

Mr Fittler replied: “In retirement I‘ll look back and will be glad I put my hand up to be among this furnace, and I’ll enjoy the drama.”

The Today show host joked that while Mr Fittler was a good guy, he hated him “come Origin time”.

“We love the fact you’re here on the show,” Stefanovic said.

“Now, its time for Australia’s great competition.”

The first round of State of Origin will be played at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.

It will air Channel Nine and streaming platform 9Now from 8pm.