Everyone is saying the same thing about Danika Mason slurring on live TV – as Anthony Albanese weighs in on Today show star’s live cross

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is among several fans who have rallied around Danika Mason after she admitted to drinking before a live cross on the Today show this week.

The Channel Nine sports reporter, 34, issued an on-air apology on Thursday morning’s breakfast program after her recent Winter Olympics crosses from Italy drew widespread attention.

Speaking on Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren on Thursday morning, Albanese admitted he was on Danika’s side, after she appeared to be slurring during Wednesday’s broadcast.

‘I’m pro Danika! Good on her! She’s over in Italy… and she would have been tired,’ he told hosts Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips.

‘It’s the time difference – would have been having an impact.’

Jase added, ‘She’s celebrating!’ while Albanese replied, ‘Nothing to see here.’ 

Viewers have also taken to social media in support of the journalist following the on-air mishap. 

‘Good for her she owned it and fronted up. A quality presenter and reporter,’ one fan said on Facebook.

‘Good on her for being an Aussie and having a drink,’ said another.

‘I love how many times Karl started the morning show hungover and still p***ed, it’s called being human.’

‘Why? She did a great job over there and they had some fun to celebrate our success. Only human and no harm done. Cheers,’ someone else commented.

Meanwhile, one fan added, ‘She’s the best. What a legend,’ while others tipped her to be the next Prime Minister or crowned Australian of the Year.

‘This is Aussie culture, great work ethic and still the most fun and loosest unit in the room. Any real Aussies first thought was good on ya love, respect! Beautiful,’ one fan continued.

Danika apologised at the end of her live cross from Livigno on Thursday morning, admitting she had been drinking the night before.

‘And guys, just before we do go, I just want to take a moment if that’s okay, just to apologise,’ she began.

‘I also wanted to say thank you for everyone who has reached out. I’m okay. Probably just a little bit embarrassed.

‘Look, I totally misjudged a situation. I shouldn’t have had a drink. And especially in these conditions, it’s cold. We’ve got altitude. And not having had dinner probably didn’t help as well.

‘But I want to take full responsibility. It’s not the standard that I set for myself.

‘So in saying that, I am genuinely sorry.’

Danika went on to thank those who contacted her out of concern, while Today show host Karl Stefanovic – who famously made a drunken appearance on the program the morning after the 2009 Logies – praised his colleague for her hard work. 

‘I don’t even know what you’re talking about,’ he said.

‘You’re the best, Danika. Don’t worry about it. Let’s move on.’

Danika’s crosses to the Nine breakfast show on Wednesday sparked such an uproar on social media that Channel Nine eventually turned off the comments on its post.

She had featured in sport segments with Karl Stefanovic and Jayne Azzopardi while standing outside in a snowstorm at about 10pm local time.

At one point, Danika rambled about the price of coffee and responded to Karl likening her to a frozen iguana.

‘The price of coffee over here is actually fine… it’s actually the price of coffee in the US we have to get used to… I’m not sure about the iguanas? Where are we going with that one? Anyway, let’s get into today’s sport because there’s plenty happening back home…’

Viewers immediately noticed Danika slurred her words and stumbled over her sentences as she attempted to deliver the latest sports news, and made snow angels for the cameras.

She battled through the chilly conditions in Livigno as Karl and Jayne suggested the cold weather was making it difficult to speak, with the presenter visibly bracing against the harsh elements during the cross.

‘There is such a cold wind, you can’t actually move your lips,’ Stefanovic claimed.

Social media users were quick to offer their own cheerful commentary about her segment with Nine’s social media administrators eventually limiting the comments on their post.

‘I think Danika is a bit under the weather,’ one viewer wrote, while another added: ‘A little under the weather I see, or hear?’

‘Lol Karl, Sarah and Jane passing off Danika as being cold and it’s difficult to speak. Most entertaining sports news for the year so far!’ another joked.

Others said the segment had brightened their morning, with one user posting: ‘Danika’s sports reports this morning have literally made my day! Thanks Danni!’

TV insiders said Nine was now examining how the control room allowed the broadcast to proceed, with Mason appearing on air over a period of hours.

‘Why did she keep getting let back on? It was clear early,’ a source said.

The Daily Mail reached out to Nine for comment on Wednesday but did not receive a response.

Danika has been reporting on the Winter Olympics since the start of the month and has been amusing viewers with her fun crosses around the Olympic village.

The NRL sideline reporter announced her engagement to NRL star fiancé Liam Knight while on a romantic European holiday last year.

Sharing the exciting news to social media, Danika revealed Liam had proposed to her on a scenic Italian beach.

The pair went public with their romance in July 2024, just months after she ditched her ex-fiancé Todd Liubinskas.

Danika dumped Todd in September 2023, just three weeks before their planned wedding.

Daily Mail previously revealed Todd – a personal trainer – later asked Danika to give back her diamond engagement ring because it was a family heirloom.

Danika also kept the $1.5million Maroubra home she shared with her ex-fiancé, and later confirmed the couple split due to a ‘breakdown in trust.’