Fans were left delighted when Seven announced that Samantha Armytage would be appearing on Farmer Wants A Wife next year.
But surprisingly it was her former team at Sunrise who reacted to the news a little more… quietly.
“There was a very awkward silence on the Sunrise set the morning after the announcement,” a well-placed insider tells Woman’s Day.
“Not even Kochie or Nat Barr commented after Edwina [Bartholomew] buried the announcement that Sam was returning in her news segment. It was very telling.
The news of Sam’s return to Seven was announced last week.
(Credit: Channel Seven)
“There was a lot of talk and whispering in the corridors. It will go down as one of the most baffling decisions the network has made in a very long time.
“It is going to be incredibly uncomfortable if Seven brings her into the Sunrise studio to promote the series.”
Sam, 45, will feature on the much-loved reality show, which partners up farmers with potential soulmates, as a mentor in a segment called “Sam’s Choice”.
But our source reveals she was also gunning for the main role.
“Sam tried everything to take the top job from host Natalie Gruzlewski, but management agreed it was too risky to give Sam the plum role,” says the insider.
“Sam has never worked in prime time, and the word is they are testing the waters to establish how popular Sam is now.
“But Seven must have huge plans if they’ve taken such a big risk!”
Last week Sam shared a statement about her new gig and why she is perfect for the role.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of the show and of country people, and I know first-hand that falling in love with a farmer is just about the most wonderful thing you can do,” she shared.
Despite the awkwardness allegedly drifting through the halls at Seven, the Seven West Media CEO James Warburton revealed his excitement in a statement from the network.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of the show and of country people.”
(Credit: Instagram)“We were always going to find that next project for Sam… she has always been a key part of the family, and we are delighted to find something we mutually want to do,” he said.
“Sam is going to be doing a cameo with Farmer — she is extremely passionate about the show, given that that is her life, that she fell in love with and married a farmer.”
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