TV star Karl Stefanovic is set to sign a new deal with Channel 9 worth around $2 million a year.

But Peter Ford has revealed the much-loved personality almost joined the Seven Network.

Nine reportedly held off renewned interest from Seven, who tried to get Stefanovic to switch stations.

But Ford said it was a previous push, some ‘seven or eight’ years ago, which almost netted Seven the knockabout star.

‘A meeting took place in the kitchen of (then boss) David Leckie’s place,’ Peter Ford explained on 3AW Breakfast.

‘There was a handshake deal and he was going to move across and there was a lot of money involved.

‘Karl broke down and cried and said this is the greatest day of my life.

‘But the next day he rang David Leckie and said sorry, I’ve changed my mind.’

Ford said Stefanovic’s deal would be ‘far and away’ the biggest in Australia.

‘That would be double what anyone else is getting on Australian television,’ he explained.

Click PLAY below to hear Peter Ford on 3AW Breakfast.