Samantha Armytage is rumoured to have inked a deal with Channel Nine to host a new dating show.
The former Farmer Wants A Wife host, 48, who recently departed Network Seven, has been locked in as the host of The Golden Bachelor, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday
The contract is rumoured to be worth a ‘significant amount,’ according to sources, but no exact numbers have been released.
The announcement comes after months of negotiation between the television star and her new network.
‘There was a bit of back and forth, but I believe the contract has been signed,’ an insider told the publication.
The Golden Bachelor is a spin-off of The Bachelor series, but differs in that the contestants of the reality dating show are senior citizens.
The recent season of the US version of the show has been wildly successful, with its finale garnering 6.1million viewers, making it the most watched final episode of the American Bachelor series since 2021.
‘This is a smart move for Sam and Nine. She is well suited to this gig and breathed new life into Farmer Wants a Wife,’ the insider added.
Samantha Armytage is rumoured to have inked a deal with Channel Nine to host a new dating show
It comes after speculation that Samantha was the frontrunner to be the host of Nine’s new reality show.
Entertainment journalist Peter Ford weighed into the debate last month, tipping that the host of the Australian version of the ABC US smash hit will be none other than Sam.
The popular presenter announced her departure from Seven in August after 21 years with the network.
Taking to X, Peter responded to a report on Inside Media about the likely host, claiming it would almost certainly be the former Farmer Wants A Wife helmer.
‘If I were a betting man, I’d put money on @samarmytage,’ Peter suggested.
‘She’s now a free agent after leaving 7 and has been clear she was interested in new opportunities.’
The former Farmer Wants A Wife host, 48, who recently departed Network Seven, has been locked in as the host of The Golden Bachelor, The Daily Telegraph has reported on Sunday
The report itself scuttled rumours that previous Bachelor host Osher Gunsberg would make a return to the franchise.
Sam became the face of popular dating show Farmer Wants A Wife last year after first appearing as a guest host alongside former presenter Natalie Gruzlewski.
But she shocked fans of the franchise in August by announcing she was quitting Seven after 21 years.
Describing the departure as ‘sad and bittersweet,’ Sam told The Daily Telegraph that she felt her time had come to an end and that she was excited about her future.
‘I’m big on instinct. I listen to my instinct. I know when the time comes. I am proud of the fact that I back myself enough to say: “I’ve done what I can do here” and I move on,’ she said.
‘This is not the end. It’s just the end of this chapter.’
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