Karl Stefanovic says he’ll be a no-show at the 2018 Logies in protest at the news the awards ceremony will move from Melbourne after more than 30 years.

“I’m telling you right now: if the Logies move from Melbourne, I’m boycotting them,” said Stefanovic, 43, in a rant to Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson on Monday.

“I will not be going to the Logies if they’re outside of Melbourne.

“I’m very sad. This is a huge loss for the city.”

Stefanovic slammed as “disgusting” the Victorian government’s Sunday announcement that it will withdraw its bid to host next year’s event because it’s “time to pass on the baton”.

The Gold Coast, or a different Queensland location, have been tipped as possible replacement destinations for the event.

Tourism and Events minister John Eren said in a statement the decision was reached after discussions with key stakeholders and conducting an event analysis.

Eren tried to sweeten the news, saying: “No matter where the Logies go next, Victoria will remain the cultural and events capital of Australia.”

Karl – who won the Gold Logie in 2011 and is renowned as a standout on the after-party dance floor – was having none of it, labelling the move “a joke of giant proportions”.

He was so worked up, he fluffed the name of Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews, saying: “Kevin Andrews has lost the plot completely.”

For the $1 million invested annually by the state government into the Logies, “the advertising Victoria gets is second to none,” said Stefanovic.

“You may as well have the Ekka in Perth. You may as well have the Hamilton Island race week on Fitzroy Island.”

A Nine insider told The New Daily Stefanovic might have just thought it was a “fun” thing to say.

“He will be there. Wherever the Logies end up, the stars will be there.”

Once the new location is confirmed, Stefanovic “can maybe talk about how amazing it will be,” says the insider.

For 20 years, Crown Casino’s Palladium Ballroom has been the scene for what is billed as TV’s night of nights. Before that, the annual gongs were held at various five-star hotels in Melbourne.

Sydney has hosted the event only a handful of times, the last in 1986. In 1963 the city’s Logies were postponed to fit with the schedule of special guest Tony Hancock, a UK comedian, and in 1964 they were held on a cruise liner, the Marconi Liber.

Stefanovic’s outrage may have been part-showmanship, but other A-listers backed up his sentiments, just with less hyperbole.

Tweeted comedian Dave Hughes, who has opened the last three Logies, “Weird to see it leave Melb!”

Four-time Gold Logie winner and Logie Hall of Fame inductee Bert Newton said: “Some shows work best in one city, and the Logies have always worked best here in Melbourne as it’s always been the home of live television.”

Newton told News Ltd it was comparable to losing the AFL Grand Final or Melbourne Cup: “They too have always been in Melbourne.”

Karl’s post-Logies performance in 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK2YVTl8Jko