Today host Karl Stefanovic has stormed off the morning show set after a dispute over his state of origin. Courtesy Channel Nine Today

'PASSIONATE' Queenslander Karl Stefanovic stormed off the set of Today this morning after being outed as a New South Welshman.

What started as a playful tweet between Karl's brother Peter Stefanovic and the program's sport presenter Ben Fordham ended up in the Channel Nine carpark with the Today host tearing off in his hotted-up car.

Stefanovic was clearly not impressed when Fordham read out the original tweet.

The moment @karlstefanovic was exposed as a non-Queenslander. He was born in Sydney's eastern suburbs. #soft pic.twitter.com/tu255ln8k2 — Ben Fordham (@BenFordham) July 16, 2013

"This is a tweet from Peter Stefanovic, who says 'remember when Karl Stefanovic reminded you he was born in NSW when Qld were losing? He floats with the breeze that bloke.'

"So despite Karl being one of the most passionate Queenslanders in the world, can you finally reveal once and for all your place of birth?" Fordham asked.

Karl angrily replied: "Does that matter?"

After a brief argument, Karl then stormed off the set, shouting: "Good luck without me".

Co-host Lisa Wilkinson added to the ribbing "Can't handle the heat. See, you put a little bit of pressure on him, and look what happens?

She cheekily added "Stick that up you Karlos!"

It was then revealed that he was born in Darlinghurst, in the very heart of Sydney.

Fordham stoked the fire after the show, telling News.com.au: "Can someone call the fraud squad? This is the biggest joke since Greg Inglis being born in Bowraville (NSW)."

"We had calls to the Channel Nine front desk calling Karl a sook and I can't disagree. His story is all over the place."

Fearing the impact of Fordham's publicity blitz on his credibility, Stefanovic called News.com.au to get his story straight.

"I lived in Sydney until I was a year and a half. For my brother to knife me like this just makes you wonder," he said.

"Ben Fordham is a five-star fake and he wishes he could be a Queenslander."

After his blow-up, the cameras cut to the Channel Nine carpark, where Fordham had followed an angry looking Stefanovic.

The latter hit out, saying: "We're supposed to be mates".

Fordham continued the lighthearted ribbing.

"Mate, it's a gag. We're Sydney brothers. Look, you've got a car that looks like a Queenslander. You still look like a bogan."

Karl replied "What's wrong with bogans?", before driving off.

As he left, Fordham shouted "Settle down mate. Oh look how angry he is. He's a typical Sydney driver. See you champ. Where's the love?"

Stefanovic has a lot to lose if the Blues win the State of Origin tonight, telling news.com.au that he'll give Fordham his hotted up Monaro if his beloved Maroons don't pull through.

It's going to be interesting in the Channel Nine camp at ANZ stadium tonight.

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