Samantha Armytage Declines Return to Breakfast Television, Citing Career Progression
Veteran presenter says hosting 'Today' again would be 'going backwards' as she enters a new career phase.
Samantha Armytage has stated she has no interest in returning to breakfast television, viewing another stint on the early morning shift as a step backward in her career. The veteran presenter, who recently turned 50, was considered a potential candidate for a permanent role on Nine's 'Today' show following Karl Stefanovic's departure.
However, Armytage told the Daily Mail that after 15 years in breakfast television, including eight years hosting Seven's 'Sunrise,' she has nothing left to prove in that format. "This was never about me going back into breakfast television. This was always a fill-in, which I was happy to do when Sarah was on maternity leave," she said.
Armytage explained her decision by stating, "I feel like going back into breakfast TV would have been going backwards, and I don't want to do that at 50. I'm in forward motion and watch... well, watch this space." She expressed her support for Sylvia Jeffreys and Tom Steinfort, who were announced as the new hosts of 'Today,' calling Jeffreys a "fabulous choice" and part of a necessary "changing of the guard" in Australian television.
Armytage has a significant history in breakfast television, beginning as a co-host on 'Weekend Sunrise' in 2007. She moved to the weekday 'Sunrise' program in 2013, where she remained for nearly eight years, becoming a prominent personality and leading the show through numerous major news events. She departed 'Sunrise' in March 2021 while it was still leading the ratings, replaced by Natalie Barr.
Following her departure from 'Sunrise,' Armytage hosted 'Farmer Wants A Wife' before moving to Nine Network in 2024. She is set to host 'The Golden Bachelor Australia' for the network and has achieved the unique milestone of filling in on both 'Sunrise' and 'Today,' the long-standing rivals.
Armytage described the two shows as having very different cultures despite their similar formats. She also shared that she had fun filling in on 'Today,' finding the space very familiar. "But that doesn't mean at 50 you have to do it again. You know, I didn't have anything left to prove."
Looking ahead, Armytage teased that she has several new projects in development. She revealed that the upcoming season of 'The Golden Bachelor Australia' will feature two leading men, promising more drama and chaos for the reality television series.