Samantha Armytage
Samantha Armytage | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 4, 1976 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, television host |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Known for | Co-presenter of Sunrise (2013–2021), co-host of Weekend Sunrise, presenter of Seven 4.30 News |
Samantha Armytage (born 4 September 1976) is a prominent Australian journalist and television host. From 2013 until 2021, she served as co-presenter of the Seven Network's morning show Sunrise, working alongside David Koch. Prior to this role, she co-hosted Weekend Sunrise and was the face of Seven's 4.30 News.
Early life
Armytage is the daughter of Mac and Elizabeth Armytage and has one younger sibling, her brother Charlie. Her upbringing took place on Bolaro Station, a sheep farming property near Adaminaby, New South Wales, where her father held the position of station manager. From Year Nine onward, she attended boarding school at Kincoppal-Rose Bay in Sydney before pursuing higher education at Charles Sturt University.
She traces her lineage directly to George Armytage, an early British settler known for his involvement in colonial-era conflicts with Aboriginal Australians.
Career
Armytage launched her career in journalism at WIN Television in Canberra in 1999, working as a news reporter and anchor. In 2002, she moved to Sky News Australia, where she took on the role of chief political correspondent.
Seven Network
Following notable coverage of the 2003 Canberra Bushfires, Armytage joined the Seven Network in 2003.
By the end of 2004, she earned her initial significant presenting assignment by substituting on Seven News Sydney during the Summer non-ratings period. Throughout 2005 and 2006, she regularly presented Seven Morning News, national late-night news bulletins, and frequently stood in on Seven News Sydney.
In October 2006, Armytage succeeded Mike Amor as presenter of Seven 4.30 News, taking over from Rebecca Maddern when production relocated from Melbourne to Sydney.
In 2011, she participated as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and contributed segments to Sunday Night. Additionally, she frequently filled in on programs such as Sunrise, Today Tonight, and The Morning Show.
In 2014, Armytage hosted the makeover reality series Bringing Sexy Back, which was discontinued after one season due to insufficient viewership.
The Seven Network announced in October 2021 that Armytage would be part of its race day broadcast team and appear as a special guest on the reality series The Farmer Wants a Wife for its 2022 edition.
In February 2023, she was appointed as the host for the upcoming season of The Farmer Wants a Wife.
Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise
Armytage was named co-host of Weekend Sunrise in June 2007, partnering with Andrew O'Keefe. She took over from Lisa Wilkinson, who had transitioned to the Nine Network's Today show.
In June 2013, it was announced that Armytage would replace Melissa Doyle as co-host of Sunrise, officially beginning her tenure in September.
On 8 March 2021, Armytage declared her decision to step down from her role on Sunrise to dedicate more time to her family commitments. Her final appearance aired on 11 March 2021.
Nine Network
In September 2024, rumors surfaced that Armytage had inked a deal with the Nine Network. This speculation was confirmed the following month when she was revealed as the host for Nine's version of The Golden Bachelor.
Later, in December 2024, Armytage appeared as a guest co-host on Today, stepping in for Sarah Abo during her absence.
Armytage began contributing as a columnist to the lifestyle publication Stellar, part of News Corp Australia, in 2017. In partnership with Stellar, she launched her podcast titled Something to Talk About with Samantha Armytage in February 2021.
Controversies
Armytage encountered allegations of racism in March 2015 after praising a woman on-air for appearing "whiter" than her twin. This prompted an online petition with more than 2,000 signatures calling for an apology, which Armytage subsequently issued.
In March 2018, during a Sunrise segment about Aboriginal adoption, she inaccurately stated that Aboriginal children could not be fostered by White families and suggested that following the Stolen Generations, there was a significant effort to keep Indigenous children within their communities even if they were neglected. The broadcast led to demonstrations outside the Sunrise studio at Martin Place. The Australian Communications and Media Authority later found in September 2018 that the segment violated the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice due to factual errors and negative stereotyping of Indigenous people. Subsequently, in June 2020, Armytage faced a racial vilification lawsuit connected to this segment.
Personal life
Armytage announced her engagement to Richard Lavender in June 2020. The couple wed privately in the Southern Highlands on 31 December 2020. Through this marriage, Armytage became stepmother to Lavender's two daughters from his previous marriage. In December 2024, it was made public that Armytage and Lavender had parted ways.
Sources
- The humorous side of life for a well-known TV presenter, smh.com.au
- Russell Crowe and Samantha Armytage share playful moments on Channel 7 set, dailytelegraph.com.au
- Insights into on-screen breakfast chemistry, news.com.au
- "Fitzy and Wippa's 'naked prank' targeting Sunrise host Samantha Armytage criticized as 'offensive'", couriermail.com.au