Today Show Stars Silent Amid Karls Exit Petition

Today show stars stayed mum on Thursday morning following the sudden resignation of their colleague .

Nine axed the former co-host, 51, on Wednesday after he . 

But it was business as usual this morning as co-star Sarah Abo and fill-in host failed to .

The pair covered current affairs as usual, but there was no mention of Stefanovic leaving the network, despite it being overnight .  

It comes after a petition seeking to 'save Karl Stefanovic' emerged .

'Save Karl!' reads the petition, which has been posted to the Revive Australia website, where 6,036 signatures have been collected as of 6.30pm Thursday evening.

The petition calls on the Australian media to 'Respect Karl Stefanovic's right to conduct interviews and speak to controversial figures' and argues that Australian viewers are 'adults who can listen, judge and decide for themselves'.

It also seeks to 'reject activist pressure campaigns that try to punish media figures for speaking to the wrong person' and 'defend the right of presenters, journalists and broadcasters to ask questions without fear'.

'Protect a media culture where difficult conversations can still happen in the open,' the petition urges.

Revive Australia 'aims to make necessary arguments speakable again, to create space for leadership where silence has been enforced, to support campaigns that shift what is possible, and connect Australians who are prepared to act', according to a description on the website.

On Wednesday evening, The Sydney Morning Herald confirmed Stefanovic's departure from Nine, indicating the decision was made in part to 'defuse a major advertiser boycott'.

Stefanovic, who is currently on two weeks' leave in London, was told the network ' on Wednesday evening.

The Australian had earlier reported that Stefanovic has 'almost certainly' appeared on the breakfast show for the last time.

A source