One Nation senator Barnaby Joyce has taken a dig at Today show star Karl Stefanovic over speculation that he is all set to exit Channel Nine.
And in a surprise twist, Stefanovic all but confirmed he was leaving the network after 25 years.
The 51-year-old shared a clip of the awkward encounter on YouTube for his Karl Stefanovic Show podcast.
Joyce, 59, was being interviewed by the media veteran in a pub in Albury ahead of the Farrar by-election when he turned the tables on his host.
After Stefanovic asked Joyce whether he was ready to 'grow a pair' and return to the lower house, the politician shot back with a joke: 'Are you going to grow a set and tell us you're going to leave Channel 9?'
'Hey, I'm not an elected official... I'm a paid-up employee, and I love it,' Stefanovic said, barely controlling his laughter.
Still, the seasoned politician would not drop the issue, and poking Stefanovic in the chest playfully, he said, 'I've been around this game a lot longer than he thinks...'
'And I'm gonna answer your question, and you're going to answer mine.'
After telling the crowd he would return to the lower house if his party wanted him to stand, Joyce dropped politics for a moment to quiz Stefanovic about his future in showbiz.
'Back to you, Cyclone,' Joyce cheekily said, as Stefanovic grinned broadly.
'What's happening with Channel Nine?' he continued.
'I'm gainfully employed there, and I'm very happy,' the network stalwart insisted.
'Oh, you bull artist.. he's oozing oil,' as the Nine star laughed along, looking unsettled.
'He's shutting me down, he's shutting me down ... this conversation is (going to) cost (him) millions,' Joyce said, clearly enjoying his own performance.
In a surprise twist, Stefanovic all but confirmed he was leaving the network after 25 years. The 51-year-old shared a clip of the awkward encounter on YouTube channel for his Karl Stefanovic Show podcast.
'What an arhole you are,' Stefanovic said finally, appearing to concede that the political veteran was in the know about the TV star's next move.
'The quicker you go back to Tamworth or wherever the hell you are from, the better,' Stefanovic joked, adding, 'I don't like your kind here.'
It comes after insiders revealed last month that a fresh new line-up for Today is underway.
Meanwhile, rumours are rife that Karl Stefanovic will soon abandon his $3 million per year contract at Channel Nine and head for radio.
A major reason could flee his high-profile television role is simple, an insider has revealed - the hours.
Media commentator Andrew Mercado told Yahoo Lifestyle last month that the 5.30am starts, which require Karl to be up as early as 3.30am, have begun to grate.
'It could be that Karl is at that point now where he wants to have a regular nine-to-five job,' Mercado told the publication.
According to The Australian's Media Diary column, the Today show host has 'signed a memorandum of understanding' with radio giant ARN, paving the way for a potential switch once his current Nine contract expires in December.