Samantha Armytage made her first appearance on Channel Nine’s Today Show on Monday following her defection to the network.
And the veteran presenter, 48, kicked off the show by sharing a flirtatious exchange with her co-host Dan Anstey.
After introducing herself to viewers, Sam, who recently announced her split from husband Richard Lavender, told Dan she had met him at the Melbourne Cup.
‘I can’t remember that. How was I? asked.
“You were handsome as always,” Sam said while laughing before Dan replied, “It was someone else.” You confused me with another Dan.
‘Yes, indeed I have. We’ll talk about that later, but it’s nice to see you all here,” Sam responded quickly before presenting the news headlines.
Samantha Armytage made her first appearance on Channel Nine’s Today Show on Monday following her defection to the network.
Following her appearance on the show, unimpressed fans flocked to social media to call for Sam to be removed as summer fill-in host.
‘@TheTodayShow on channel 7 for a while. Please post when Armytage moves on and we’ll be back,” one person wrote on X.
‘Why is Sam Armytage on Ch9’s breakfast show? And why can’t the media give a chance to anyone except a few? Will Kochie get a great new job too? said another.
‘Sam Armytage in NO!’ a third agreed.
‘I went from 7 to 9 thanks to Sam Armytage, so what are you going to do? Let me know when you’ve moved on and I’ll start watching again,’ another commented.
Despite some negative reactions from viewers, others expressed their excitement at seeing Sam presenting the breakfast show.
“Great to see Sam Armytage back on TVs as she co-hosts #9Today’s summer series,” one wrote.
“@sam_armytage looks stunning today. Can she stay permanently?” another agreed, while one added: “I loved it.”
The veteran host, 48, kicked off the show by sharing a flirtatious exchange with her co-host Dan Anstey.
Channel Nine was reportedly plunged into back-to-back crisis meetings following the decision to bring Samantha onto the Today show as a summer stand-in co-presenter.
The chain’s move has also sparked outrage among longtime staff, with insiders alleging the decision has created tension behind the scenes and left many feeling snubbed.
While Nine insists the move is purely seasonal, speculation is rife that it could be a test to see if Sam is the right candidate to join Today permanently.
The consequences of the decision have been significant.
“There have been back-to-back crisis meetings since Sam was hired,” a source told Women’s Day earlier this month.
“The big bosses didn’t listen to the team when they opposed Sam’s addition.”
Meanwhile, a well-placed source tells Daily Mail Australia that Nine has strategic reasoning behind Sam’s appointment.
“Let’s not pretend this isn’t about ratings,” they said.
‘If Sam can pull Today out of Sunrise’s shadow, even for a week, the network will see it as a victory. For Sam, it’s about proving she’s still the queen of breakfast TV.”
Unimpressed fans flocked to social media to call for Sam to be removed from the show following her debut as a summer fill-in host.
Channel Nine has reportedly been plunged into back-to-back crisis meetings following the decision to bring Samantha onto the Today show as a summer stand-in co-presenter.
A major source of resentment towards its new network is the perception that Nine’s existing talent has been overlooked.
Many insiders were reportedly surprised by Sam’s signing, particularly after she was chosen to host The Golden Bachelor, despite others at the network vying for the role.
“There’s no worse slap in the face than raising your hand to host The Golden Bachelor and being virtually told you’ve got the job, only to then read in the papers that Sam is their surprise pick,” the source said.
The tension reportedly extends to Today’s regular hosts.
Sarah Abo, 39, was reportedly upset earlier this year when she learned Sam was being considered as her temporary replacement during a period of leave.
That plan was shelved after Sarah backed down and Nine opted for Sylvia Jeffreys as a “safer option”.
This time, however, Sarah seems to have accepted the decision, although insiders say it hasn’t been easy.
“If Sam wants it so bad, he can have it,” a colleague reportedly said, adding that Sarah is resigned to the fact that Sam is being given great opportunities at the network.
Channel Nine and Samantha Armytage have been contacted for comment.
Sam’s move to the network comes after she recently shocked fans when she and husband Richard Lavender split just weeks before their fourth anniversary.
Sam’s move to the network comes after she shocked fans when she and husband Richard Lavender split just weeks before their fourth anniversary.
Armytage and Lavender’s split was planned to be leaked to a Sydney newspaper, but sources confirmed the news to Daily Mail Australia in advance.
‘Yes, Richard and I have separated. “All breakups are difficult, but they are alleviated a little by the fact that they are amicable and we wish each other the best,” Armytage told the media.
‘I appreciate you respecting our privacy. “I will not comment further.”
While the news has only just emerged publicly, Armytage’s TV presenting friends are understood to have been comforting the star behind the scenes for some time.
Lavender’s two daughters, Sascha and Grace, no longer follow Armytage on Instagram, although the former couple still follows each other.
Armytage began dating Lavender in April 2019 and they announced their engagement in June 2020, before tying the knot at their property in rural New South Wales six months later.