Matt Doran's botched interview with pop star Adele risks derailing the Channel Seven presenter's charmed run to the top of breakfast television.
Network bosses were reportedly 'angry' at the Weekend Sunrise host after he failed to listen to Adele's latest album, 30, prior to interviewing her earlier this month.
The journalist, 37, was previously said to be a 'network favourite' who was being 'groomed as Kochie's successor' on Seven's flagship Sunrise program.
Heir apparent: Matt Doran's botched interview with pop star Adele risks derailing the Channel Seven presenter's charmed run to the top of breakfast television. Pictured with Weekend Sunrise co-anchor Monique Wright
As recently as February, the newsreader was being named by sources as the man expected to succeed David 'Kochie' Koch.
'It's no secret at the network that Matt is the heir apparent - he's a nice fit for all demographics and the female viewers love him,' an insider told Woman's Day at the time.
Kochie's contract with Seven is set to expire in 2022, but he has said he has no plans to retire and wants to keep his job for as long as the network will have him.
Not so fast: As recently as February, the newsreader was being named by sources as the man expected to succeed David 'Kochie' Koch (pictured with co-anchor Natalie Barr)
The source also claimed that Doran's Weekend Sunrise co-host Monique Wright, 47, was expected to join him as co-anchor of the network's weekday breakfast show.
'[Monique has] been at Seven since 1996 and she knows her stuff,' they said.
However Seven's carefully laid succession plan may now be in jeopardy following Doran's expensive Adele gaffe.
Golden boy: The journalist, 37, was previously said to be a 'network favourite' who was being 'groomed as Kochie's successor' on Seven's flagship Sunrise program
The TV host was reportedly taken off the air for two weeks after 'offending' the 33-year-old singer.
Doran flew to London to chat with the pop diva but admitted during the interview he hadn't actually listened to her new album, reported The Sunday Telegraph.
He was then 'suspended by Seven Network bosses', the newspaper claimed - but Doran has since clarified there was no formal suspension and he just
