The Golden Bachelor took a bittersweet emotional turn on Monday, when host Samantha Armytage broke down during a powerful conversation about heartbreak.
During a ladies’ lunch at the mansion, what began as a casual catch-up turned into one of the most moving scenes of the season, as several contestants opened up about the devastating ends of their marriages.
The contestants shared their sad relationship stories with Samantha, which prompted the 49-year-old presenter to make a shock admission of her own, as she alluded to her marriage breakup with Richard Lavender last year.
‘Everybody goes through s**t. Life is hard and messy, there’s not a person on the planet who doesn’t feel like that or go through that,’ Sam told the group.
‘You kind of wear it like a badge of honour. I know I wear some of my grief now like a badge of honour. You’ve been through crap – you’ve survived it.’
Samantha’s candid admission came as she empathised with another contestant, Jan, who revealed she discovered her ex-husband’s three-year affair on her 40th birthday.
The Golden Bachelor took a bittersweet emotional turn on Monday, when host Samantha Armytage (pictured) broke down during a powerful conversation about heartbreak
‘There’s no instruction manual on how to leave a marriage,’ Samantha said, her voice breaking. ‘I’m saying this from firsthand experience.’
The moving segment ended with the women comforting one another – a rare moment of unity and vulnerability amid the usual mansion drama.
Earlier this month, Sam made a surprising admission following her split from husband Richard.Â
The TV host, who announced her separation from the equestrian businessman at the end of last year, appeared on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show and was asked if she thought she would find love again.  Â
‘Of course I’ll find love again. I mean, I’m keeping my options open,’ she cheekily said.Â
She continued to assure fans, saying: ‘I am fine. Don’t worry about me, I’m having fun as always.’
The Nine star went on to hint that, while she knows she’ll get back on the horse, she will be picky with the men she dates in the future.
In December, the former couple announced their separation on the eve of their four-year wedding anniversary.
The contestants shared their sad relationship stories with Samantha, which prompted the 49-year-old presenter to make an admission of her own, as she alluded to her marriage breakup with Richard Lavender last year. Both pictured
The moving segment ended with the women comforting one another – a rare moment of unity and vulnerability amid the usual mansion drama
They had tied the knot at Richard’s 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year’s Eve in 2020.
‘Richard and I have separated. All break-ups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other,’ Sam told media at the time.
The former Sunrise host and Richard started dating in April 2019, and announced their engagement in June 2020 before tying the knot at his property in rural NSW six months later.
Following their split, Samantha and the Golden Bachelor Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden have been at the centre of swirling romance rumours ever since they attended the Logies earlier this year.Â
They first sparked whispers of an off-screen romance after making their red carpet debut at the Logies, where their close rapport was noticed by attendees.
The reality show’s leading man responded to the talk of the town ahead of the series’ big debut.
Bear attended the Golden Bachelor premiere in Sydney, where he couldn’t help but gush about his co-star in an exclusive interview with Daily Mail.
However, when asked about the speculation regarding his relationship with the TV star, he was quick to dismiss it as just ‘rumours’.
