Frontrunners to replace David Koch on Sunrise revealed after his shock exit trends now

David 'Kochie' Koch stunned viewers on Monday morning when he confirmed his shock departure from the show after a remarkable 21-year tenure. 

And there are several contenders poised to fill the shoes of the beloved breakfast show stalwart.

Sports presenter and former Olympian Matt Shirvington is a frontrunner to occupy Kochie's esteemed seat after covering for the father-of-four several times  while he was on holidays.

Shirvington especially impressed viewers while covering for Kochie during his leave last year, seamlessly adapting to the role.

Currently co-hosting Sunrise on Fridays in Kochie's absence, he has also reportedly gained the confidence of the Seven Network's top brass, as per The Australian.

Initially, it seemed Weekend Sunrise star Matt Doran was destined to succeed Kochie, but his car-crash $1million interview with British superstar Adele at the end of November has most likely taken him out of the race. 

The reporter had flown to London to interview the chart-topping singer, 33, for the Seven Network - but shockingly admitted during the chat he hadn't actually listened to her new album.

An 'offended' Adele was then said to have walked out of the interview, which Doran denied.

The network allegedly spent $1million on the ill-fated interview, plus her sit-down with Oprah Winfrey and footage from her One Night Only concert.

Doran later issued a grovelling apology to Adele on Weekend Sunrise and blamed the saga on a 'missed email', before admitting the interview was meant to be 'one of the highlights' of his career.

Meanwhile fellow Sunrise veteran Mark Beretta is another strong contender following his successful stint filling in for Kochie during the Christmas holidays last year.

He also has a good rapport with Natalie Barr after starring on the show for over a decade.