Samantha Armytage presents Sunrise for the last time - NEWS.com.au

Days after quitting live on air, Samantha Armytage is co-hosting Sunrise for the last time today.

At the start of this morning’s show, co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch said: “For the past eight years she’s been a much-loved part of the Sunrise family but the time has come for her to focus on her family. Goodbyes are never easy, there will probably be some tears, but this morning we’re going to celebrate an incredible journey with some very special guests and a lot of surprises.”

“I’m a bit nervous about surprises on this show,” Armytage joked.

WHEN SAM QUIT

Armytage shocked viewers with a tearful announcement on Monday, saying that “the time has come for the sun to set on my time at Sunrise. I have always been very brave and fearless in my life and my career and this decision is no different.”

Armytage said the death of her mum last November and her recent wedding to Richard Lavender contributed to her decision to leave the show.

“As many of you know, my personal life the last six months has been very bittersweet. Some bits have been very happy and some bits have been very, very sad and I want to step out of this public world for a while, take some time and calm things down, enjoy a bit of slow living and spend some time with my precious family and husband and Banjo (her dog).”

There are sure to be more tears this morning as Armytage sits behind the desk with co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch for the final time.

WHO WILL REPLACE SAM?

Channel 7 won’t reveal who is replacing Sam Armytage this week, news.com.au understands.

Natalie Barr will host Sunrise on Friday (as she always does) alongside David ‘Kochie’ Koch (who is usually replaced by Matt Doran on Fridays).

Barr, who has been a part for the Sunrise family for more than 15 years, is currently the favourite to move into Armytage’s chair.

“Natalie Barr is much-loved by the Sunrise audience and logic would suggest she naturally inherits the role,” David Knox, editor of TV Tonight told news.com.au. “This would bring as little disruption as possible which is a big consideration, but none of this should detract from her steady hand and commitment.

“She’s shown how well she can work with Kochie and at this point in his career, you would gravitate to anybody who is going to keep him in there longer.

“In my mind the audience and Kochie are the two prevailing factors,” Mr Knox said.

There’s a chance, however, that Barr might be apprehensive to take on the huge role, Mr Knox suggested.

“Nat knows that breakfast TV puts you in the crosshairs of click-bait and social media, particularly having seen some of the headlines Sam has attracted over the past 12 months, which she’s largely managed to avoid as news anchor,” he told news.com.au.

Barr is currently the Sunrise newsreader, and according to The Australian, Seven’s internal research indicates that she is one of the most popular breakfast TV personalities in Australia.

WHO ARE THE OTHER CONTENDERS

A senior Seven executive told the Sydney Morning Herald: “We have a very strong stable of female talent on Sunrise so it would make sense to promote internally.”

Given Seven is keen to “promote internally”, other personalities in the mix could include:

Weekend Sunrise co-host Monique Wright, Sunrise entertainment presenter Edwina Bartholomew and journalist Angela Cox.

“Monique Wright would also be a strong contender having co-hosted Weekend Sunrise so well since 2013,” Mr Knox told news.com.au. “But, like Kylie Gillies, does it upset other shows to move those that are clearly working so well?”

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2021-03-10 18:50:47Z
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