Channel Nine’s Next Star: Meet the Rising Charm!

Industry insiders have revealed Nine may already be eyeing off their new Golden Boy to replace Karl Stefanovic upon his retirement. 

Though the Today anchor, 51, plans on sticking around the studio for a while, executives are said to already be putting plans in place to fill his star shoes. 

One source tells Daily Mail rising reporter Chaad Hewitt has made a very big impression on higher ups with his confidence, looks, and charm.

'Channel Nine is absolutely behind Chad,' an insider says, adding that the actor and model, 21, is tipped to be 'groomed' for Karl's seat.

'His roving reporter work has been phenomenal. Confident, natural and incredibly popular with viewers.'

Behind the scenes, network bosses are said to be thrilled with Chaad's rapid rise and are already testing audience reaction to him stepping into bigger roles.

Industry insiders have revealed Nine may already be eyeing off their new Golden Boy to replace Karl Stefanovic, 51, upon his retirement. Pictured with rising star Chaad Hewitt

'They've been quietly polling long-term viewers and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,' the source claims.

'People are ready for a fresh face and Chaad is winning fans left, right and centre.'

In fact, insiders say the comparison to Karl, who has been an anchor on Today for more than 20 years, is now openly discussed at the network.

'During filming of a segment last week, one of the Channel Nine executives casually said, "Chad is the next Karl,"' the source claims.

'It wasn't whispered. It was said out loud. It's very much an open plan.'

Much like Karl's early career, Chad's warm personality, confidence and easy connection with everyday Australians is what's making him stand out.

'He commands attention in a way you can't teach,' says the insider. 'He's got that rare mix of charm and credibility.'

While Karl himself reportedly believes he has at least another five years left at the Today desk, insiders hint the network's timeline may be shorter.

One source tells Daily Mail rising reporter Chaad Hewitt, 21, has made a very big impression on higher ups with his confidence, looks, and charm

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'Karl thinks it's five-plus years away,' the source reveals. 'But Channel Nine executives see the transition happening sooner rather than later.'

However, the insider goes on to assure that Karl isn't being pushed out of his lucrative role at Nine.

'Karl is still hugely respected and loved,' the insider explains. 'But networks always plan ahead and Chaad is clearly the future.'

With Chaad's popularity continuing to soar across Nine's platforms, many believe it's only a matter of time before viewers see him front and centre more regularly.

'He's young, yes, but he already has the audience's trust,' the source says. 'And that's the hardest thing to build in television.'

Industry insiders now say Chaad's career trajectory is mirroring Karl's almost exactly from roving reporter favourite to potential breakfast TV king.

'Everything about this feels intentional. Channel Nine has found their next star and they're making sure he's ready,' the insider adds.

Daily Mail has reached out to Nine and Chaad for comment. 

'Channel Nine is absolutely behind Chad,' an insider says, adding that the actor and model is tipped to be 'groomed' for Karl's seat

Chaad was born on the Gold Coast in 2004 to parents Callie and Paul Hewitt, who also share an older daughter named Parker. 

Callie, from the US, currently works as a department head at a private school in Queensland, while Chaad's father, from London, is the CFO for a global company. 

His sister makes a living as a model in south east Queensland, while Chaad is breaking into TV and acting, having previously attended Trinity College London. 

Chaad also attended the prestigious Southport School on the Gold Coast.