Karl Stefanovic has told critics of controversial neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo, which includes his own network, to ‘leave him the f*** alone’.

The Nine Entertainment star on Monday told a Media Watch investigation he passionately backs Teo, which is a stark turnaround from 2022 when he apologised to his colleagues for his support of under-siege brain surgeon.

Teo was once lauded for taking on high-risk brain tumour patients that other surgeons had written off, but in 2023, he was subject to heavy restrictions on practising medicine due to unprofessional behaviour.

The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission noted two patient deaths and questioned whether the benefits of their surgeries outweighed the significant risk, and whether they gave proper informed consent for the operations.

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 discussing his ties with a News Corp journalist and Stefanovic.

In response to questions from Media Watch, Stefanovic issued a curt email, seen by Daily Mail, stating: ‘Charlie Teo is a great f***ing Australian. Leave him the f*** alone.’

Teo had recently appeared on The Karl Stefanovic Show in March – a podcast venture he has been increasingly focusing on – and 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 thrown at you is false then 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.’

As well as being 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.

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’

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 suggested a bias in favour of Teo by Stefanovic with the downplaying of Teo’s misconduct, despite it 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.’