Bizarre theory emerges about why the Sunrise team use this nickname for new host David Woiwod

A bizarre new theory has emerged over an old nickname used by Weekend Sunrise host David Woiwod.

The 40-year-old Seven stalwart, who joined the breakfast team last year, has been known on air as 'Woi' since he joined the network in 2016.

And now critics have noticed that the Sunrise team has taken to use the affectionate 'brand' this week.

However, some armchair critics wonder whether the move was a 'directive' from management. 

Commenting on the TV industry blog Media Spy, one viewer pointed out that Woiwod had been called 'Woi' by weatherman Sam Mac and sports commentator Mark Berretta during Monday's episode of Sunrise.

The viewer also added that Weekend Sunrise weatherman James Tobin also called Woiwod 'Woi'.

'So while this forum debated a while ago what he [Woiwod] should be called, it seems that the team does actually call him Woi naturally,' they said.

'How do you know it wasn't a directive?' replied another viewer on the thread.

The viewer replied, 'Well, I don’t… but I do recall him being called Woi and Woiwod (rather than David) on his many crosses as a reporter over the years.' 

Woiwod is currently a fill-in host on Sunrise alongside Edwina Bartholomew while regular hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington are taking a break.

Sunrise is known for its informal and relaxed presentation style with former host David Koch being affectionately dubbed 'Kochie' during his two decades in the show.

Meanwhile, Koch's replacement Matt Shirvington is known as 'Shirvo' to viewers while sports presenter Mark Barretta is called 'Berretts' and James Tobin is known as JT.

Seven announced Woiwod as the new host of Weekend Sunrise after Matt Doran stepped back from the role in December.

Woiwod is no stranger to breakfast TV having been a Sunrise reporter for four years after first joining Seven in 2016.

He left the show in July 2020 after landing the prized post as the network's US correspondent based in Los Angeles.

Known for his cheeky banter, Woiwod has also covered some of the biggest stories of the last four years, including the US presidential election and the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

He also reported on the tragic school shootings in the US in Texas and Tennessee as well as natural disasters that wreaked havoc stateside including hurricanes, fires and floods.

Other notable events covered by Woiwod include the fatal Titan Submersible accident and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Last year he scored an exclusive for Seven when he gained access to Guantanamo Bay to cover the Bali Bomber trial.

It comes after Matt Doran called time on his five years at Weekend Sunrise during an emotional live announcement several weeks ago and said he will be taking time to focus on family and to pursue other opportunities.

The Seven star recently opened up about his struggles with depression on The Morning Show.