'I'm going to miss it enormously.' After almost 21 years, Kochie has announced he is leaving Sunrise.

After nearly 21 years at the Sunrise desk, David 'Kochie' Koch has announced he is leaving the Channel 7 breakfast show.

On Monday, May 29, Kochie said he had made the decision to "hang up the boots" after more than 5300 shows and 16,000 hours of television.

He said he was moving on to focus on his family and family business.

"After 20 consecutive premierships in the breakfast TV ratings game, I'm frankly finding it harder to get off the ground to take those marks and I think it's time to bring to the next generation," he explained.

"I started here before Facebook, before Instagram, before Twitter and iPhones. That's how old I am. I have loved every single minute of it and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved here over the last 21 years. I've been privileged to experience so many great adventures, to meet so many different people and to cover so many moments of history in the making. It really is the world's best job."

After 21 years co-hosting Australia’s number one breakfast show, David Koch has announced he is stepping down. @kochie_online #kochie #sunriseon7
📌 MORE: https://t.co/Kyq3pKaccD pic.twitter.com/ldab89jzfy

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) May 28, 2023

He said he was going to miss the entire Sunrise team, especially his co-host Nat Barr, long-time sports reporter Mark Beretta and producer Dave Walters.

"I reckon I've spent more time with them than the family and it has been an absolute joy," he said.

"I'll miss you, the Sunrise viewers, who energise me every single day, and are so lovely every time we met in person.

"I know I'm going to miss it enormously. Sunrise has always been bigger than any one person and it just seems right to exit stage left on Friday next week. I will do so with enormous pride and gratitude and thank you for having me."

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The show would not be what it is today without you. It's been an amazing ride and we're going to celebrate that in the next two weeks.

Barr honoured her co-host by saying Sunrise would not be what it is today without him.

"It's been an amazing ride and we're going to celebrate that in the next two weeks," she said.

According to Seven, Kochie is the longest-serving breakfast television host in Australian history.

His final show will be Friday, June 9. His replacement has not yet been announced.

Read more:

• Who is replacing Kochie on Sunrise? We have a few ideas...
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Feature image: Channel 7.