In a move eagerly awaited by many viewers, Samantha Armytage made a high-profile return to Australian breakfast television on Monday. The former Sunrise star is stepping in to host Channel Nine's Today show during the festive season, covering for the programme's regular presenters.
A Stylish and Cheeky Comeback
Armytage, 49, marked her return with a summery and chic fashion statement. She opted for a crisp white ensemble featuring Bermuda shorts and a matching shirt, which she showcased on the show's official Instagram account. Accompanied by a playful caption—'Bermudas for breakfast' and 'A "short" fill-in'—the post highlighted her signature style and humour.
The presenter completed the look with a pair of white high heels, showing off a tan cultivated during her time away from the daily grind. Her warm-weather outfit was an instant hit with fans online, with one admirer exclaiming she looked 'gorgeous this morning'. Another follower humorously anticipated headlines focusing solely on her choice of on-air attire.
Filling the Festive Slot
Armytage's return is a temporary arrangement for the Christmas holiday period. She is covering the breakfast sofa while the show's main hosts, Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, take an extended break. During her stint, she will share presenting duties with Nova radio personality Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli.
Her reappearance was met with notable enthusiasm from a segment of the audience. Some fans expressed their delight at seeing her back on screen, with comments suggesting the regular lineup had been 'losing' them. One viewer simply stated it was 'great to have you back on telly'.
Behind the Scenes Speculation and Tension
Armytage's move to the Nine Network in 2024, after her shock departure from rival broadcaster Seven's Sunrise in 2021, has been shrouded in speculation. Rumours have persistently swirled that she was being lined up to permanently replace Sarah Abo on the Today show.
Addressing these claims in an October radio interview with Ben Fordham on 2GB, Armytage downplayed the gossip. 'Ben, you know how this game works - these stories get planted, leaked,' she said. She revealed she had comforted Abo about the headlines, calling her 'wonderful' and praising the current hosting team as 'fantastic'. Armytage emphasised her current focus is on her role hosting The Golden Bachelor.
However, reports suggest the situation has caused internal friction at Nine. According to a senior TV insider, there is a split among staff. While some senior figures believe Armytage could boost the show's ratings in the competitive breakfast battle, others are apprehensive. A source told Daily Mail that some junior staff were 'terrified' to work with her due to her reputation from her Sunrise days, and that Abo was reportedly furious with the network's handling of the speculation.
For now, Armytage's role is strictly a festive fill-in, but her high-profile return has undoubtedly reignited talk about the future shape of Australia's breakfast TV landscape.
