Sunrise co-host David Koch stuns Nat Barr with revelation on his last ...

9 Jun 2023

7NEWS.com.au

On his last day as Sunrise co-host, David Koch revealed a disturbing detail about one of the most memorable events during his time on the job.

Speaking of the Lindt Cafe siege, which unfolded directly across from the Channel 7 studios in Sydney’s Martin Place in 2014, Koch told co-host Nat Barr: “It was personal - and really close to home.”

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kochie stuns Nat Barr with revelation.

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The Lindt gunman, Man Haron Monis, held hostage 10 customers and eight employees in a 16-hour standoff over December 15 and 16 of that year.

It culminated in the tragic deaths of hostages Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson, plus Monis, who died at the scene.

For most, Man Haron Monis was a name they had never heard of until those horrifying two days.

But the name was already known to Kochie.

Natalie Barr talks to David Koch on his last day as Sunrise co-host. Credit: Supplied

“He was on our security watch list because he tried to get in contact with me and he’d turn up at the studio,” Koch recalled.

“I remember when he first went into the (Lindt) cafe, I was at the gym, at Fitness First in Bond Street, and over the speaker they said, ‘David Koch, come to reception.’

“It was the police on the phone saying, ‘Don’t go anywhere. There is a siege happening at Lindt and there is a person of interest connected to you. We don’t know what’s happening’.”

The police told Koch to stay where he was until they could come to pick him up and escort him home.

“That scared the living daylights out of us,” he told Nat.

Koch then revealed a piece of information about the Lindt siege that even Nat was unaware of.

“I have a car that I haven’t driven since (then) because it’s distinctive and the police at the time said you shouldn’t be driving a car like that,” he revealed.

“It’s sat in the garage since.”

Thousands of floral tributes in Martin Place after the deaths of Lindt Cafe hostages Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson in December 2014. Credit: Cole Bennetts/Getty Images

“Wow - even I didn’t know that,” Nat responded.

“When you’re in the public eye you have to be careful,” Kochie said, noting that at one point he was also being “stalked” by a bikie who police tracked and “turned around” whenever he appeared to be heading in the direction of Kochie’s house.

“Social media threats are one thing, but this is a real life threat against your life and I had to debate whether to tell (wife) Lib or not,” he added.

The shock anecdote was one of many made by Koch during the long-ranging interview on Sunrise on Friday.

Kochie’s replacement

From next week, Koch’s seat will be taken over by new co-host Matt Shirvington, who said he felt “humbled” to be stepping into the high-profile role.

After Shirvo’s appointment was announced on June 5, Kochie took to Instagram to share his reaction.

“Onya @mattshirvo,” he wrote.

“Welcome to the team Matt! We’ll see you bright and early on Monday morning!”

Matt Shirvington will join Natalie Barr on the 7 Sunrise after taking over from David Koch. Credit: AAP

Speaking on Monday, Shirvo told 7Life how he and Kochie had shared an emotional phone call when the Olympian accepted his new gig.

“He basically said, ‘You’re going to have the time of your life’,” Shirvo said.

“It’s such a fun show to work on and I think the thing that really choked me up was the fact that he said that I was the perfect fit for it.

“It was lovely.”

Shirvo has already filled in for Kochie over the last 18 months when required - something that has helped him prepare for the role.