Today viewers call for Samantha Armytage to permanently host the show

Almost four years after she quit Sunrise to spend more time with her family, Samantha Armytage made a surprising return to breakfast TV this week. The former Farmer Wants A Wife presenter, who recently confirmed she had split from her husband Richard Lavender, is filling in for Sarah Abo as co-host of Today over the summer break alongside weather presenter Dan Anstey.

Having hosted Channel Seven’s rival breakfast show for eight years from 2013 to 2021, Sam was quick to joke about her latest appointment on Monday morning, remarking: “I’ve remembered where I am, on Channel Nine. Isn’t it lovely to be on Channel Nine?”

Sam quickly made herself at home on Today, poking fun at Nick ‘Ducko’ Allen-Ducat’s nickname and the colour of Ellie Cole’s outfit and firing up during an on-air discussion about nuclear power.

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Fans took to social media throughout the week to applaud Sam’s return to breakfast TV, with many calling for her to join Today in a full-time position.

“So good seeing Sam Armytage back on our screens she’s gotta be a permanent host eventually,” one person wrote, while another added, “Love seeing Sam back on morning telly, have turned back to Nine”.

“Why can’t we keep this team permanently? Love em,” a third responded, followed by someone else who said, “@sam_armytage looking stunning today can she stay permanently”.

“Dan and Sam are doing a great job. Very pleasant change. Keep them on,” a different user shared, with another agreeing, “Agreed. I'm enjoying watching the show again!”

“Such a refreshing and polished lineup and have missed Sam a lot. Thank goodness you jumped ship from Channel 7 to 9! When Sam came on, I had to rub my eyes to see if it was really Sam,” one fan remarked.

Samantha Armytage's move to Channel Nine

It was announced in October that Sam would host Channel Nine’s upcoming reality show The Golden Bachelor. The series, which launched in the US last year starring 72-year-old Gerry Turner, is a spin-off of the popular dating franchise featuring senior citizens finding love and will premiere next year.

“Well, this is a bit of a surprise isn’t it?” Sam posted on Instagram following the announcement at Nine’s Upfronts. “A wonderful change, a fresh start and a new network for me.

“I’m chuffed to join @channel9 and 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, AND I’m so excited to continue to play a TV Cupid, but this time for a more… ummm… mature crowd.”

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A TV insider tells Yahoo Lifestyle that Sam will appear on Today for two weeks to “remind viewers Nine is now her home" and “prepare them for what they’ve got planned in 2025” with The Golden Bachelor.

“Having Samantha back on breakfast is like a big F-you to Seven and Sunrise. The networks love getting one over each other and this won’t just annoy [bosses at] Seven but will ensure weeks of press reminding them that they lost their golden girl,” they add.

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