Sam Armytage reveals why she skipped Kochie's Sunrise farewell lunch

Samantha Armytage has revealed the real reason why she didn’t attend David ‘Kochie’ Koch’s Sunrise farewell lunch last week.

The Farmer Wants A Wife host, who hosted the breakfast show alongside Kochie from 2013 to 2021, made a surprise appearance on Sunrise on Friday to send off her former co-host during his final broadcast.

However, she was noticeably absent from Kochie’s celebratory lunch following the show, which was attended by Sunrise star Natalie Barr and former host Melissa Doyle.

Taking to Instagram earlier this week, Sam posted a screenshot of a Daily Mail article hinting that a feud between herself and Kochie was the reason why she didn’t attend, and labelled the rumour as “nasty” and “wrong”.

“Rich and I had to attend a funeral yesterday after I appeared on Sunrise,” she wrote.

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“I was invited to Kochie’s farewell lunch and had to politely decline. Usually I ignore the Daily Mail nonsense, (and I realise posting like this only gives them oxygen) but these multiple, daily attacks are absurd.

“I could have told them my plans, if only they’d asked (not that it’s any of their business!) then perhaps they wouldn’t have to make things up. But perhaps that wouldn’t suit their narrative.”

Sam's advice for Kochie

During her brief appearance on Sunrise last week, Sam commended Kochie for spending a massive 21 years in his role, despite how hard it can be.

“What I want to say to you today is that this job is so incredibly difficult, and you can't say it when you're in the job because no one wants to hear you complaining, but when you're not in the job anymore you can say how hard this is,” she shared.

“There is so much scrutiny. To get up day after day and do this - the resilience, the drive, the ability, the energy to just keep coming in here every day and do that - is extraordinary. I absolutely salute you.

“I, after eight years, couldn't do it anymore. 21, I just think is an extraordinary effort.”

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She also shared some advice for Kochie about adjusting to regular life after Sunrise, having gone through the experience herself over two years ago.

“After two days my sleep was completely back to normal, you'll be fine,” she laughed. “The trick is to get out of the big smoke, go somewhere where it's quiet, go back to nature and just get your sleep back in order.

“You can go out for dinner now late at night, you can go on holidays without asking permission, it’s fantastic.”

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