Bizarre way Samantha Armytage found out she was hosting The Golden Bachelor: 'Still curious'

On Thursday, it was announced that Samantha Armytage will, in fact, be the host of The Golden Bachelor Australia on Channel Nine. The news comes after months of speculation that the former Channel Seven personality would be the one to take the helm when the local version of the hit US series landed on our screens.

Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, however, Sam revealed that she first heard about her good career news from "the gossip pages." The former Farmer Wants A Wife host said she was thrilled that it had all worked out but she was "still curious" as to how it all happened.

“They were saying I was hosting the show well before my management had been contacted," Samantha told Yahoo Lifestyle. “I am still curious how that happened but I am excited it worked out. I don’t know if it was a good guess or if the person who wrote that story actually had intel!"

According to a source at Channel Nine: “Sophie Monk and Sonia Kruger were also being discussed but fans seem to really get behind the idea of Samantha taking the hosting role.”

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Monk, who already hosts Love Island for the network, was said to have seen Armytage at the Nine Upfronts on Thursday and congratulated her on the exciting news.

Why did Samantha Armytage leave Channel Seven?

Samantha left Channel Seven after 21 years earlier this year in a move that shocked both fans and the industry at large.

While walking away from Farmer Wants A Wife - one of the network's highest-rated shows - seemed like a strange move, a TV insider told Yahoo Lifestyle that “Sam had been increasingly feeling uncomfortable with taking over from Natalie Gruzlewski on FWAW and wanted to do something new that she could own.”

“There always was this feeling Sam was doing someone else’s job and the former Sunrise host genuinely believed that Natalie deserved to return as the host," they said.

“Now that Samantha has been announced [as The Golden Bachelor host] the focus has turned to casting and that process is already underway.”

Taking to Instagram after the news was announced, Armytage wrote, Well, this is a bit of a surprise isn’t it? A wonderful change, a fresh start & a new network for me. I’m thrilled to join @channel9 & feel a little like I’m coming home - my first reporting job out of university in 1998 was with WIN TV in Canberra - so a bit of my heart has been with the 9 family my whole career. 💙.

"My new show is THE GOLDEN BACHELOR coming in 2025, & I’m so excited to continue to play a TV Cupid, but this time for a more… ummm... mature crowd 😜 (if you’re in your fabulous 50’s or 60’s, single and looking for real love again.. apply now OR nominate someone you know ⬇️) It’s THE biggest show in America & I know it’s going to be huge here. Can’t wait to start filming. Join me for this wild ride, thx for the warm welcome.. & bring on 2025! 💫

What else do we know about The Golden Bachelor?

As Samantha mentioned in her post, The Golden Bachelor was a huge hit in America and the the insider believes the success of the show comes down to two vital ingredients: A good host and likeable Golden Bachelor,

“Nine is on the hunt for single man, with a good sense of humour and someone who is genuinely looking for love," they said.

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The inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor in the US starred 72-year-old Gerry Turner, a widower and father of two. The show received its highest viewership in three years, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and was praised by fans for its inclusivity and diversity.

A second season titled The Golden Bachelorette premiered in the US last month with 61-year-old private school administrator and widow Joan Vassos in the leading role.

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