Yahoo Lifestyle 
Samantha Armytage leaves Sunrise after eight years
Samantha Armytage has announced she is leaving popular breakfast program Sunrise after sharing the hosting duties for eight years.
In a statement released on Monday, Samantha revealed it was time for the "sun to set" on her time on the show, but she will remain a part of the Seven network, with new projects to be announced at a later stage.
"I have always been brave and fearless in my career and this decision is no different," Samantha said.
“I want to take a break and find some peace and calm. I go out of this job at a time of my own choosing and on top of the ratings, which not many people on television can say they do.
“I cannot thank you all enough for having me in your lounge rooms all these years.”
RELATED:
Sam broke down in tears as she made the bombshell announcement on air this morning, telling viewers the last six months for her have been "bitter sweet".
“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," she revealed.
“I go out of this job at a time of my own choosing and on top of the ratings which not many people in television can say they do.
“I’m extremely proud of my almost eight years at the helm of Sunrise. My seven years before that at Weekend Sunrise and my almost 18 years with the Seven network.
“My mother used to say to me, ‘edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It’s your masterpiece after all.’ And that’s precisely what I’m doing.”
Samantha’s decision to step down from the program comes with Seven’s full support, as her co-host David Koch called Sam the "rock" of the program.
“Ever since Sam joined Sunrise eight years ago, she has been the rock of the program and always led from the front," he said.
“Sam’s humour, work ethic and team first values have been an inspiration to us all. But now it’s time for Sam to put herself and Rich first and we couldn’t be happier for, or more supportive of, them both.”
Last week Sam announced she was hosting her own podcast “Something to Talk About with Samantha Armytage”.
The podcast is in collaboration with Stellar magazine, the same publication she already writes a weekly column for.
Samantha's decision also comes after she tied the knot with husband Richard Lavender, in an inmate ceremony at his 40 hectare property in the Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year’s Eve.
Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said: “Sam has been an important part of the Seven team for almost two decades, including eight fantastic years as co-host of Australia’s #1 breakfast show.
“We will be sad to see her leave Sunrise, but completely understand and support her decision to step back for a while and focus on her family. We wish Sam nothing but the very best for her break and look forward to announcing some exciting new projects for her in late 2021 and into 2022.”
Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.
Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.
