Channel Seven star Sam Armytage, 44, broke down in tears on Monday as she quit Sunrise during its live broadcast.
It’s been eight years since Sam herself replaced Sunrise’s longstanding female host Melissa Doyle, and now the hunt is on for her own replacement.
Daily Mail Australia can now reveal the hot contenders to pull up a seat beside veteran anchor David ‘Kochie’ Koch, 65, in the coming weeks.
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Who will replace Sam? Samantha Armytage’s (pictured) rumoured list of replacements is revealed after the Sunrise host dramatically quit the breakfast show in tears on Monday following after EIGHT YEARS alongside co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch
Rumours of a shake-up at Sunrise had been swirling for months as Kochie reaches retirement age and Sam settled into married life with businessman husband Richard Lavender, 60, in New South Wales’ Southern Highlands.
The 44-year-old, who joined the program 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.’
She explained she was leaving of her own choosing, and was looking forward to life away from the spotlight after a ‘bittersweet’ year that included the death of her mother, Libby, and her marriage to Richard.
Speaking to The Kyle and Jackie O Show last month, Sam said while she was still under contract at Seven, she hadn’t ruled out giving up her TV career for a quiet life.
Hot contender: While Seven has not yet announced Sam’s replacement, industry website TV Blackbox reports newsreader Natalie Barr will likely step in alongside co-anchor David ‘Kochie’ Koch in wake of Sam’s shock departure
Sunrise newreader Natalie Barr
While Seven has not yet announced Sam’s replacement, industry website TV Blackbox reports newsreader Natalie Barr will be stepping in alongside co-anchor David ‘Kochie’ Koch.
Viewers of the show previously begged for Natalie to replace Sam permanently when she filled in as Kochie’s co-host while Sam took leave from Sunrise when tying the knot with millionaire beau Richard over the New Year’s period.
Natalie, 52, who will celebrate 20 years with the program in 2023, has often filled in for Sam and former Sunrise co-host Melissa Doyle in the past.
A source told TV Blackbox the network would look favorably towards Natalie to replace Sam as she knows the program better than anyone and is loved by viewers.
Much-loved: Viewers of the show have previously begged for Natalie to replace Sam permanently on the popular program
Moving up? Recent reports have tipped Weekend Sunrise host Monique Wright, 47, (left) as one of the main candidates considered for the top job on Sunrise
Weekend Sunrise host Monique Wright
Other recent reports have tipped Weekend Sunrise host Monique Wright, 47, as one of the main candidates considered for the top job.
An industry insider claimed to Woman’s Day last month that she was being ‘groomed’ for the enviable TV role.
They claimed Monique in particular is ‘loved by the big bosses’ at Seven, who have long considered her to be the ideal replacement for Sam.
‘Monique has been at Seven since 1996 and she knows her stuff,’ the source said, adding: ‘She’s also a mum, she’s relatable and treats everyone with respect.’
Another blonde? The same industry source claimed Sunrise’s resident entertainment reporter Edwina Bartholomew, 37, (pictured) could easily step up to replace Sam
Sunrise entertainment reporter Edwina Bartholomew
The same industry source claimed Sunrise’s resident entertainment reporter Edwina Bartholomew, 37, could easily step up to replace Sam.
However, they claimed she would likely stay in the role she’s held for five years for a number of reasons.
‘Eddy would have been the natural choice to replace Sam, but she’s a new mum and wants another bub soon, so she loves the current flexibility,’ the insider explained.
‘She’s a new mum and wants another bub soon’: Edwina is said to be content with her role as a roving entertainment report, as it has more flexibility than a full-time breakfast host
Shakeup? Another longtime favourite for Seven viewers is Kylie Gillies (right), who has co-hosted The Morning Show with Larry Emdur(left), which airs after Sunrise, since 2007
Seven’s The Morning Show host Kylie Gillies
Another longtime favourite for Seven viewers is Kylie Gillies, who has co-hosted The Morning Show with Larry Emdur, which airs after Sunrise, since 2007,
Kylie, 53, has worked with Seven for more than 20 years, including stints on Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise, Seven Morning News, Seven 4.30 News and Sydney’s Seven News.
In 2019, she told Nowtolove that being on The Morning Show was ‘a real gift’.
‘It’s really lovely to say that I still genuinely enjoy what I do 12 years on… I’m so thankful I have this job. The team is awesome and we’re a real family.’
Jumping ship? In November, New Idea hinted that Studio 10 host Sarah Harris (pictured) could defect from Channel 10 to Seven if Sam’s role became free
Channel 10’s Studio 10 host Sarah Harris
In November, New Idea hinted that Studio 10 host Sarah Harris could jump networks from Channel 10 to Seven if Sam’s role became free.
According to industry insiders, Seven executives have ‘had their eye on Sarah and had started the talks’ with the 39-year-old.
‘They’ve heard she isn’t happy [with ratings on her Channel 10 show]. They are ready to pounce and Sarah is ready to say yes,’ the source claimed at the time.
‘TV isn’t a place that’s necessarily very healthy’: Sam’s emotional farewell comes days after she said the TV industry was full of ‘narcissists and sociopaths’ – remarks which undoubtedly wouldn’t have gone down well with her colleagues. Pictured with co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch
Thowback! It’s been eight years since Sam herself replaced Sunrise’s longstanding female host Melissa Doyle (left) in 2013, and now the hunt is on for her own replacement
Sam’s emotional farewell comes days after she said the TV industry was full of ‘narcissists and sociopaths’ – remarks which didn’t go down well with colleagues.
‘There’s a lot about television that’s all about you and that’s an awful way to live your life. TV isn’t a place that’s necessarily very healthy,’ she told Stellar magazine.
‘It’s full of sociopaths and narcissists. It can be a dangerous environment, let me tell you,’ she added.
For months, it was rumoured that 2021 would be Sam’s last year hosting Sunrise.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for further comment.
Sam’s last day on Sunrise will be Thursday, March 11.
Farewell: Sam’s last day on Sunrise will be Thursday, March 11. Pictured alongside co-host Kochie during her tearful announcement on Monday