Karl Stefanovic surprised with special guest on his birthday
<p>Just hours after returning from Paris after covering the Olympics, Karl Stefanovic made his return to the <em>Today Show</em>.</p>
<p>Coincidentally, the return to the Channel Nine morning show fell on his 50th birthday, as his co-hosts celebrated the milestone age live on air. </p>
<p><em>Today</em> co-host Sarah Abo gushed over Karl as she introduced a highlights reel to showcase some of his most memorable moments on the show. </p>
<p>"We love you so much and to celebrate this huge occasion, we got to take a look back at some of the memorable moments from the past five decades," Sarah said.</p>
<p>After the walk down memory lane, Abo then introduced a special guest who had made the trip into the studio. </p>
<p>Karl was shocked to see his mum Jenny arrive, as she joined her son on the couch. </p>
<p>"I'm so sorry, my hands are sweaty but nice to see you, mummy," an emotional Karl said before giving his mum a big hug.</p>
<p>Jenny then shared some sweet moments for her son's birthday, but couldn't resist sharing a few jabs at the <em>Today</em> host. </p>
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<p>"It's great to be here, you've been a great son, when you remember to actually ring your mum," she said.</p>
<p>"And you've been a great brother to your siblings and you've had a great profession which has been terrific, you've picked something you love to do and you've got yourself up at 3am every morning for 20 years, who would do that if they didn't love it?"</p>
<p>Karl's sister-in-law,<em> Today Extra</em> host, Sylvia Jeffreys seconded Jenny's well wishes, telling Karl he is "such a treasure" to know.</p>
<p>"You're such a beautiful man and you're a beautiful friend and a beautiful brother and all of us as your colleagues as well, have the rare privilege of seeing the way you can really connect and bring the best out in people, not just the people you interview on the television every day, but the people you work with every day," she said.</p>
<p>"You bring out the best and you show us all how to commit and be really excellent, you're just a wonderful person, you drive us mad and you've made me do things I deeply regret, but we love you with all our hearts."</p>
<p><em>Image credits: Today </em></p>
