Sam Armytage may be heading back to breakfast television.
And the TV host is primed for prime time, showing off her glamorous transformation in recent months.
In a series of Instagram Stories posts on Tuesday, the 49-year-old was looking trim and terrific in a flirty white lace frock from designer Carla Zampatti as she stepped out for a ritzy lunch.
The blonde bombshell wore her hair in a retro style flip and added a pair of beige sandals.
Sam carried a chic straw and leather purse and finished the look with thick gold hoop earrings and a number of bangles.
The Golden Bachelor host was out for the launch of Dame Quentin Bryce’s new biography.
Sam Armytage (pictured) may be heading back to breakfast television. And the TV host is primed for prime time, showing off her glamorous transformation
In a series of Instagram Stories posts on Tuesday, the 49-year-old was looking trim and terrific in a flirty white lace frock from designer Carla Zampatti as she stepped out for a ritzy lunch
It comes after the Today show was rocked by rumours that former Sunrise host Armytage is in ‘secret talks’ to replace Karl Stefanovic’s co-host Sarah Abo.
If the wave of online backlash is anything to go by, Nine may be wise to reconsider its options.
Fans of the program have expressed their outrage at the idea of Abo, 39, being shunted for industry veteran Armytage, 49, in an attempt to win the ratings war against Sunrise.
‘The one thing Today doesn’t need is another presenter change, from the change at sport, to a new Weekend lineup next year. It’s in for a lot of change. Changing out Sarah is not necessary. I don’t believe it will help the ratings,’ one user commented online.
‘Karlos and Sarah are just fine at the moment. No need to change,’ another agreed, as someone else added: ‘You’re joking right? There goes Channel 9.’
‘Sarah over Sam any day of the week. Sarah has a great and genuine vibe,’ yet another wrote.
Elsewhere, another viewer warned: ‘Keep Sarah or goodbye morning television. The entire team complement each other and I love their banter.’
Many users threatened to abandon the program altogether if Armytage took the helm.
Sam as undergone a glam makeover in the past year. Pictured in 2024
The Golden Bachelor host was out for the launch of Dame Quentin Bryce’s new biography. Pictured together
‘If Sam is in, I am out,’ one wrote, while another agreed: ‘If they lose Sarah, they lose me!’
‘If Samantha Armytage replaces Sarah, that’s when I change to Channel 7,’ someone else threatened, as another added: ‘I stopped watching Sunrise because of her and will happily switch back if she is on Today’.
One punter pointed out why installing Armytage ahead of her hosting debut on The Golden Bachelor would be short-sighted.
‘They would want to be careful about putting Sam in their show, as you never know. The Golden Bachelor might rate terribly, and it could be an embarrassment to put her on Today if the show isn’t good,’ they explained.
Some users have even argued that Stefanovic, 51, should be the one given the boot.
‘Once again, Nine have the wrong host in their sights. It’s Karl who needs to be replaced, not Sarah,’ one user declared.
They continued: ’20 years without a win against Sunrise and he’s the only consistent. James Bracey and Sarah Abo should be the long-term future of the program.’
‘Have Sarah and Sam give Karl the boot!’ another chimed in.
It comes after the Today show was rocked by rumours that former Sunrise host Armytage is in ‘secret talks’ to replace Karl Stefanovic’s (left) co-host Sarah Abo (right)
However, there were some viewers who welcomed the idea of Armytage gracing the hosting desk at Today, with one commenting: ‘I for one would love to see Sam back on morning television. Her fun personality and versatile ability as a host makes her perfect for the format.’
‘Paired with Karl, both hosts have chemistry and the ability to handle serious news,’ they insisted.
‘I will switch to Nine if Sam comes back,’ someone else enthused.
The speculation follows a report in The Australian, which claimed that ‘prestige’ presenter Armytage and Stefanovic are being touted as the ‘dream team’ that could see Today topple Sunrise’s domination in the morning show ratings.
The casting shakeup is a ‘desperate bid to wrestle the TV breakfast crown from Seven’s rival Sunrise,’ the publication reported.
Nine is said to be banking on the so-called ‘Armytage effect’, which saw Sunrise score a ratings victory when Armytage joined the program in 2013.
Armytage left Sunrise in 2021 and has gone on to helm Farmer Wants A Wife and the upcoming Golden Bachelor.
