Samantha Armytage's surprising final demand before leaving Channel Seven

Farmer Wants A Wife fans were thrilled when it was announced earlier this month that longtime host Natalie Gruzlewski will be returning as the show’s main presenter in 2025. The former Getaway star has hosted the reality show since season one in 2007, however, she was relegated to co-host when Samantha Armytage joined the series.

Natalie’s position was reinstated when Sam recently left Channel Seven and joined rival network Channel Nine to host The Golden Bachelor, and it turns out the former Sunrise anchor may have had something to do with it. A Channel Seven insider tells Yahoo Lifestyle that Sam’s final demand before leaving the network was that they “rehire Natalie”.

“Sam tried to avoid the comments section on social media but simply couldn't escape the amount of fans pleading for Natalie's return. The fans seemed to notice two different styles between the hosts and many believed Natalie was more natural with the way she connected with not just the farmers but the women as well,” our source shares.

“Sam was unfortunately at the forefront of the backlash from the loyal fans when taking over from Natalie in 2023 and while the decision to swap the hosts in the last two seasons wasn't her decision, she did feel the burn from viewers.”

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The insider adds that although the two women were pitted against each other in the media, they “actually got along really well”.

“They could have easily butted heads over the decision, but they managed to forge a friendship and found a lot of mutual admiration for each other,” they share.

“The response to Natalie’s return online has been extremely positive and there has been an increase in applicants. There’s also hope that viewers will see less constructed drama and more focus on finding these farmers true love.”

Sam's rumoured return to breakfast TV

Following the announcement that Sam had joined Channel Nine, it’s been reported that the TV star will fill in for Today next month when Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo go on leave.

The Sunday Telegraph claims she has been asked to host alongside Clint Stanaway for a week and a half in December, marking her return to breakfast TV after starring on Sunrise from 2013 to 2021.

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Sam will also host The Golden Bachelor on Channel Nine in 2025, which is a spin-off of the popular dating franchise featuring senior citizens finding love.

The series was a huge success when it launched in the US last year with 72-year-old lead Gerry Turner, and a second season titled The Golden Bachelorette finished airing earlier this month.

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