Sam Armytage QUITS Sunrise: Tearful host quits after seven years

Sunrise host Sam Armytage tearfully announced her resignation live on air on Monday, after hosting the Channel Seven breakfast show for eight years.

The 44-year-old, who joined the show in 2013, said: ‘The time has come for the sun to set on my time at Sunrise. I have always been brave and fearless in my career and this decision is no different.

‘As many of you know, the last six months of my personal life have been very bittersweet. Some bits have been very happy, and some bits have been very, very sad, and I want to step out of this public world for a while and take some time and calm things down. Enjoy a bit of slow living, and spend some time with my precious family, my husband and Banjo.

‘I go out of this job at a time of my own choosing and on top of the ratings, which not many people on television can say they do.’

‘I cannot thank you all enough for having me in your lounge rooms all these years,’ she added.

Her co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch offered a friendly hug, and said: ‘Ever since Sam joined Sunrise eight years ago, she has been the rock of the program and always led from the front.

‘Sam’s humour, work ethic and team first values have been an inspiration to us all. But now it’s time for Sam to put herself and Rich first and we couldn’t be happier for, or more supportive of, them both.’

Seven West Media’s Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said in a statement: ‘Sam has been an important part of the Seven team for almost two decades, including eight fantastic years as co-host of Australia’s number-one breakfast show.

‘We will be sad to see her leave Sunrise, but completely understand and support her decision to step back for a while and focus on her family.

‘We wish Sam nothing but the very best for her break and look forward to announcing some exciting new projects for her in late 2021 and into 2022.’