Samantha Armytage refuses to comment on Lisa Wilkinson

She’s the co-host of Channel Seven’s Sunrise who is celebrating a win in ratings as her rival show battles a storm of bad publicity. 

But Samantha Armytage is keeping tight-lipped after Lisa Wilkinson’s shock departure from Nine’s breakfast program, Today.

According to a report published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday, 41-year-old Sam said she would ‘absolutely not’ comment on Lisa’s decision to quit the Nine Network after she failed to receive pay parity with male co-host Karl Stefanovic. 

Keeping tight-lipped: Sunrise star Samantha Armytage refused to weigh in on Lisa Wilkinson’s shock departure from Nine’s rival breakfast program, Today 

 Sam’s decision to refrain from commenting comes after reports that she is also paid less than her male co-host, David ‘Kochie’ Koch.

Multiple News Corp reports suggest Sam takes home a $500,000 salary.

Meanwhile, a 2015 Sydney Morning Herald report claimed Kochie, who has hosted Sunrise since 2002, earns ‘about’ $1 million. 

Ratings war: Sam (second from right) was keen to talk about how her program Sunrise is 'Australia's favourite breakfast show' 

Ratings war: Sam (second from right) was keen to talk about how her program Sunrise is ‘Australia’s favourite breakfast show’ 

Whilst Sam refused to weigh in on Lisa’s decision, the Herald claims she was keen to spruik Sunrise, with the star reminding reporters it’s ahead of Today in the ratings.

‘It’s been a long week this week but [Sunrise is] Australia’s favourite breakfast show,’ the bubbly blonde stated.  

Indeed, in the bitter battle to secure the top spot, Sunrise came out on top Wednesday with 284,000 metro viewers compared to Today’s 261,000 viewers. 

Earning less than Kochie? According to reports, Sam is taking home $500,000 salary for Sunrise

Earning less than Kochie? According to reports, Sam is taking home $500,000 salary for Sunrise

Today’s ratings have dwindled in the wake of Lisa’s sensational departure.

It’s claimed she left the network after being offered a $1.8 million salary-  $200,000 less than Karl’s staggering $ 2 million paycheck. 

However, according to The Sydney Morning Herald,  Lisa originally out-earned Karl when she first debuted on the Today Show back in 2007.

The paper reports that she was ‘being paid a lot more… with some estimates at the time suggesting she was earning double what he [Karl] was taking home’.

Pay dispute: Lisa originally out earned Karl when she made her debut on Today back in 2007 

Pay dispute: Lisa originally out earned Karl when she made her debut on Today back in 2007 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk