Karl Stefanovic shares snap from his 'last day of the year'

TODAY show host Karl Stefanovic has taken to Instagram to share a hilarious snap from his last show of the year — and wish viewers a Merry Christmas.

"My last day of the year on @thetodayshow and what more could you ask for. Mayhem. Merry Christmas everyone. Lots of love. X", he captioned the picture, which shows the TODAY cast holding puppies. They also hung with half-naked firefighters and ate donuts on this morning's show.

Stefanovic is taking a holiday over Christmas to spend time with family, including his mum who recently flew in from Queensland for the festivities.

It's been a tough few weeks for him, following constant speculation from weekly magazines about the circumstances surrounding his divorce from wife, Cass after 21 years and misleading reports claiming he had quit the show. Nine bosses have responded by saying they will sue over the fictitious reports, adding that Stefanovic has no plans to leave and will be back on the show in the new year.

He seemed in good spirits as he bid viewers farewell for a few weeks, cracking jokes with his co-stars and posing for TODAY's TODAY's in some very fetching socks and sandals.