Karl Stefanovic's VERY blunt message to the ABC's Media Watch that they should leave his good mate Dr Charlie Teo alone after the neurosurgeon appeared on his podcast

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 15:56, 25 May 2026 | Updated: 15:56, 25 May 2026 Karl Stefanovic has told critics of a controversial neurosurgeon to 'leave him the f*** alone', all while continuing to promote the doctor. The Nine Entertainment star in 2022 apologised to his colleagues for his support of under-siege brain surgeon Charlie Teo but on Monday told a Media Watch investigation he still backs Teo. Teo was once applauded for taking on high-risk brain tumour patients but in 2023 was subject to extreme practice restrictions due to unprofessional behaviour. That behaviour arose from two patient deaths, questions over whether the benefits of their surgeries outweighed the significant risk, and if they gave proper consent for operation. Teo continues to practice overseas, particularly in China. Reporting on Teo's case was highlighted by ABC's Media Watch on Monday with the program highlighting his close ties with a News Corp journalist and Stefanovic. In response, Stefanovic issued a curt email, seen by Daily Mail, stating: 'Charlie Teo is a great f***ing Australia. Leave him the f*** alone.' Teo appeared on Stefanovic's podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, in March. They briefly discussed his controversies, without going into detail about why he was effectively barred from practicing. Media Watch host Linton Besser said Stefanovic's podcast glossed over Dr Teo's sanctions Teo appeared on Stefanovic's podcast which the Channel 9 breakfast TV host has been increasingly focusing on in the last year Instead, the episode framed Teo as someone being unfairly targeted by zealous red tape.  Stefanovic brought up the sensitive topic by asking: 'How did you get through it, the dramas?' Teo responded: 'I don't want to focus on that because it is incredibly negative and it's very sad.  '...If you're a good person, if you've taken the high road, if you treat your patients well, if you know everything they've thrown at you is false them you can stand proud. '...I don't want to say this because it sounds like I'm big-noting myself but cream will always rise to the top. 'If you're good at what you do and you're doing it for the right reasons then everything will work out.' Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo (above) was effectively barred from practicing in Australia following a series of complaints about misconduct and extreme pricing Karl Stefanovic (above) is friends with Teo and has continued to defend and promote him Stefanovic said of Teo (above): 'Charlie Teo is a great f***ing Australia. Leave him the f*** alone' As well as being a close friends, Stefanovic is an ambassador for Teo's foundation. In 2022 the neurosurgeon was subject to heavy criticism from 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald - all owned by Stefanovic's employer, Nine. Those reports highlighted the severe physical toll from some of Teo's surgeries and the incredibly high price paid by patients. Stefanovic responded to that campaign with a fierce defence. 'I adore him and I love him and I'm just sorry this whole thing's gone on for so long and continues to go on,' Stefanovic told Daily Mail at the time.   'The pile-on with Charlie is very difficult to watch given how much I know he is committed to the profession and how much great work he does and how many lives he's saved.   'I would hate to see this guy and all of his talent exterminated from a profession that he's so gifted at. It would be a travesty.'  Daily Mail later confirmed Stefanovic had apologised to his colleagues at Nine for the comments. Media Watch host Linton Besser on Monday highlighted the bias in favour of Teo by Stefanovic and the downplaying of Teo's misconduct, despite the misconduct being severe enough to be reprimanded by the Medical Council of NSW.  In response to Stefanovic's expletive-ridden statement on Monday, Besser said: 'Karl, it's not Teo we're worried about.' The comments below have been moderated in advance. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.