Former Sunrise anchor Samantha Armytage has been announced as the new host of Farmer Wants a Wife.
Channel Seven confirmed the reshuffle on Monday, revealing Armytage will be taking over the role made famous by long-time presenter Natalie Gruzlewski – who will remain part of the franchise in a limited capacity.
Armytage had joined the dating show as a ‘guest host’ last year but her minor role has now been expanded while Gruzlewski is ‘scaling back’ her duties to ‘co-host’.
Gruzlewski will present her own segment called ‘Nat’s Getaway’ during the 2023 season, with Armytage ‘front and centre’ as the primary host.
A Seven executive told TV Tonight the pair, both 46, had effectively ‘flipped roles’.
Former Sunrise anchor Samantha Armytage has been announced as the new host of Farmer Wants a Wife (pictured in a trailer for this year’s season)
Brook Hall, Director of Scheduling, said: ‘They’re both in the show still. [Previously] Nat was front and centre and Sam was advising on dates.
‘But if I’m being honest, they’ve kind of slightly flipped. Nat has “Nat’s Getaway” so she’ll be co-host, she’ll be opening the start. It’s more blended, with one front and one appearing. But yes, Samantha Armytage is taking more centre stage.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
Seven confirmed the reshuffle on Monday, revealing Armytage will be taking over the role made famous by long-time presenter Natalie Gruzlewski (pictured), who will remain part of the franchise in a limited capacity
The new season of Farmer Wants a Wife is set to premiere on Seven later this year.
A new trailer, released on Monday, shows Armytage walking through a paddock as she says ‘every farmer will find love this year’. Gruzlewski isn’t featured in the promo.
Viewers are introduced to five new farmers looking for love: Brad, 32, David, 29, Brenton, 26, Matt, 23, and Andrew, 41.
However, things aren’t all rosy as one potential ‘wife’ bursts into tears and says she ‘thinks I’m ready to go home’.
A new FWAW trailer, released on Monday, shows Armytage walking through a paddock as she says ‘every farmer will find love this year’. Gruzlewski isn’t featured in the promo
One potential ‘wife’ bursts into tears and says she ‘thinks I’m ready to go home’
Viewers are introduced to five new farmers looking for love: Brad, 32, David, 29, Brenton, 26, Matt, 23, and Andrew, 41
Armytage says in the teaser: ‘It’s the most romantic season ever. Every farmer will find love. The greatest Farmer Wants a Wife there has ever been.’
She had joined the show last year to assist Gruzlewski with the matchmaking process, but it now seems she was just being groomed for the top job.
‘I’m thrilled to be joining Farmer Wants a Wife in 2022,’ she said at the time.
‘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 added, referencing her marriage to horse trainer Richard Lavender.
Her guest role involved hosting a segment called “Sam’s Choice”, in which she introduced the farmers to a ‘new lady based on her own expertise and experience’.
Before joining the dating franchise, Armytage had stepped down as host of breakfast show Sunrise in March 2021 and moved to the country with her husband.
Natalie joined the Nine network in 1999 as a weather presenter and has since had roles on shows including as a presenter on Getaway.
She hosted Farmer Wants a Wife on Channel Nine for the first eight seasons, before Sam McClymont hosted the show.
Natalie returned to host the show in 2020 on Channel Seven.
Armytage says in the teaser: ‘It’s the most romantic season ever. Every farmer will find love. The greatest Farmer Wants a Wife there has ever been’
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