Sunrise host Natalie Barr inadvertently revealed her attention to breakfast television rival Samantha Armytage through a social media mishap last Friday. While sharing a post about a new baby blue cardigan on her Instagram Stories, Barr accidentally included an image of Armytage working at the Today show desk in her phone's photo library.
Armytage, a former co-star of Barr's on Sunrise, recently made her debut on the Channel Nine breakfast program. She is reportedly being considered as a temporary replacement for Sarah Abo, who is currently on maternity leave. Barr, who took over as Sunrise's main co-host in March 2021 after Armytage's departure in the same year, quickly removed the offending photo and replaced it with a version that excluded Armytage.
Barr and Armytage shared the Sunrise desk for nearly eight years, from June 2013 to March 2021. Following Armytage's resignation, Barr continued as co-host, initially with David Koch before Matt Shirvington took over.
Meanwhile, the Today show has seen further changes, with veteran reporter Mike Willesee Jr. being removed from hosting duties to make way for 60 Minutes correspondent Tom Steinfort. Nine is actively seeking permanent replacements for Karl Stefanovic, who left the program in June, and Abo during her absence. Steinfort, who previously served as Today's newsreader, is considered a familiar face to viewers and is held in high regard by Nine management. Executives are reportedly optimistic about the potential chemistry between Steinfort and Armytage.
The pairing is being closely monitored by network executives, particularly given the competitive landscape of breakfast television. While the current arrangement is understood to be temporary, the on-air chemistry between Armytage and Steinfort will be scrutinized as Nine seeks to improve the program's ratings. Earlier in the week, Armytage and Willesee's appearances as fill-in hosts drew mixed reactions from viewers, with some criticizing their on-air dynamic as "drab and boring," while others praised their professionalism and journalistic credibility.