The somber news was shared by Natalie Barr, 57, and Matt Shirvington, 47, on the Sunrise show during the early hours of Friday morning, marking a moment of reflection for the Sunrise team and their audience.

The Foreign Affairs Editor, who held three doctorates and chaired numerous international bodies, ‘passed away peacefully in hospital this week’.

The news was announced by Nat, 57, and Shirvo, 47, on Sunrise in the early hours of Friday morning.   

‘Before we head to the news, we just wanted to pay a quick tribute to a close friend and member of this Sunrise, Dr Keith Suter, who passed away peacefully in hospital this week,’ they said.

‘Keith has been part of the Sunrise and Seven family for so many years, the most brilliant mind, a calm and trusted voice on some of the most complex stories, and a joy to work with behind the scenes as well. 

‘He helped explain wars, elections and global crisis upon crisis, but he always did it with measure so people felt safe and this morning our thoughts are with his beautiful family.’

Sunrise star Dr Keith Suter died in hospital this week, aged 77, with Samantha Armytage paying him tribute alongside Natalie Barr and Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington 

The Foreign Affairs Editor, who held three doctorates and chaired numerous international bodies, ‘passed away peacefully in hospital this week’ 

Samantha, 49, who once co-host Sunrise from 2013 to 2021 alongside David ‘Kochie’ Koch, shared a heartbreaking tribute to her Instagram following the announcement.

‘Very sad to hear of the passing of Dr Keith Suter overnight. He was a wonderful man,’ she wrote, alongside a photo of the Australian consultant appearing on the breakfast show.

‘He guided us through many of the biggest world issues of our time—with grace and humour. You could talk to him all day, and often during breaking news, we did. RIP Dr Keith.’

Nat and Shirvo went on to say viewers had already been sending in their condolences, with one saying Suter ‘made complicated world politics comprehensible and will be sorely missed’.  

‘World affairs is complicated and I think a lot of people, you kind of almost feel like you pretend you know what it is about, but we got to ask him really basic questions and boy did he explain it to all of us,’ Nat said.

‘He spoke to the people didn’t he, and he was a beautiful man with such a lovely manner. And I tell you what, he always dressed so, so well as well,’ Shirvo added.

‘I know. We are really going to miss him. Our condolence, our sincere condolences to his family, he will be sorely missed,’ finished Nat.

More to come.