Samantha Armytage’s shock final act at Channel Seven has been revealed, three months after the Farmer Wants A Wife presenter revealed she was defecting to Nine.
The veteran host, 48, reportedly suggested the network reinstate former FWAW host Natalie Gruzlewski, 47, as host of the popular dating series on her way out the door.
An informant said Yahoo Lifestyle Sam was well aware that angry viewers were harshly criticizing her online after she took on the role of Natalie.
“Sam tried to avoid the comments section on social media, but he just couldn’t escape the amount of fans pleading for Nat’s return,” the source said..
“While the decision to change hosts for the last two seasons was not his decision, he did feel the heat of the viewers,” the source said.
The TV star moved to Nine to present the network’s Aussie Bachelor spin-off series The Golden Bachelor after leaving Seven in August.
Samantha Armytage’s (pictured) shock final act at Channel Seven has been revealed, three months after the Farmer Wants A Wife presenter revealed she was defecting to Nine.
Natalie Gruzlewski will return to the show after Samantha replaced her in 2022.
Earlier this month, Seven’s chief content officer Brook Hall gushed about the “authentic” new season of the dating show following Sam’s departure.
“We still keep them in that lane of really pure and try to keep it authentic,” he said at Seven’s 2025 Upfronts according to TV tonightt.
“I’m still amazed at each of those first meetings, where usually two of the five farmers have a hard time talking to the women when they arrive.”
‘We’re actually filming this week, final decisions and a couple of farmers are very happy where they are. “I think we’re going to have more success stories like that.”
Outgoing FWAW presenter Samantha shocked fans in August when she left Seven after 21 years, and rumors were rife about her next move.
His new TV gig on The Golden Bachelor was finally unveiled at Nine’s Upfronts, where the network’s 2025 programming schedule was unveiled.
‘I think everyone is going to love this. It’s love for the golden ages,” Samantha said in the video interview with 9Entertainment.
The veteran host reportedly demanded that the network reinstate former FWAW host Natalie Gruzlewski (pictured) as host of the popular dating series.
“Sam tried to avoid the comments section on social media, but he just couldn’t escape the amount of fans pleading for Natalie’s return,” a source told Yahoo Lifestyle.
‘When I got the call to join the show, I didn’t hesitate. (The Golden Bachelor) has been huge in America and I have a feeling it will be huge in Australia too.’
“We are beyond excited to welcome Samantha to Nine as the new host of our quest for love, the Golden Bachelor, where everyone deserves a second chance at love,” added Liana Dubois, Nine’s marketing director.
Warner Bros Australia first sparked speculation about a local version of the show in November 2023 when they invited ‘fun, active and outgoing older men aged 60 and over who are divorced or widowed’ to take part in a new dating series. .
‘We want to hear from you or anyone who would like to nominate someone you know to take part in the programme. “We want to celebrate love at all ages and show that when it comes to finding love and romance, age is just a number,” they added.
The American original has been a huge success and its finale earned 6.1 million viewers.
The astronomical figure makes it the most watched final episode of the American Bachelor series since 2021.
Samantha’s participation in the reality show came after weeks of speculation that she was joining the Bachelor franchise and had signed a deal with Nine.
A source described Samantha’s new presenting job as a “smart move” and said she suited the concept well after “breathing new life” into Seven’s dating show FWAW.