Channel Seven identities farewelled Samantha Armytage at a swanky lunch on Thursday after she made a tearful departure as host of Sunrise.
The 44-year-old was feted by friends and now former colleagues at Catalina Restaurant in Rose Bay.
It came a few hours after she used her final episode to launch an attack on ‘some aspects of the media’ for perceived unfair treatment during her career on TV.
Final goodbye: Just hours after going to air for the last time as host of Sunrise, Samantha Armytage hosted a star-studded farewell lunch in Sydney on Thursday. Pictured with husband Richard Lavender
‘I do want to say that I never fully understood some of the scrutiny and the snarkiness and the bullying from some aspects of the media,’ she said during her farewell address on Sunrise on Thursday.
‘But today we move on from that, because there is a new chapter starting and it has been overwhelmingly a good experience in my life.’
Among those at the exclusive luncheon was Samantha’s husband of almost three months, Richard Lavender, who she arrived with hand-in-hand.
Turnout: The 44-year-old TV host gathered with friends and former colleagues at Catalina Restaurant in Rose Bay. Pictured with Sunrise executive producer, Michael Pell
Power couple: Among those at the exclusive luncheon was Samantha’s husband of almost three months, Richard, who she arrived with hand-in-hand
The Morning Show’s Kylie Gillies was also in attendance, along with Sunrise’s executive producer, Michael Pell.
But there were a few notable absences too, but they may have met up with the group later on.
Not pictured at the star-studded lunch were several of her Sunrise colleagues, including her former co-host, David Koch.
Colleagues: The Morning Show’s Kylie Gillies (pictured) was also in attendance, along with Sunrise’s executive producer, Michael Pell
Making claims: It comes after Samantha earlier accused ‘some aspects of the media’ of treating her unfairly during her career on TV
According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday, sources claimed Samantha’s relationship with David, 65, had hit an ‘all time low’.
‘With Sunrise’s co-stars barely speaking off camera, in the end the situation became untenable, resulting in Armytage’s announcement that she was quitting on Monday,’ they reported.
There were also no sightings of Natalie Barr, Sam ‘Mac’ McMillan, and Edwina Bartholomew, who had earlier farewelled Samantha, referring to her as a ‘big sister’.
High praise: Edwina Bartholomew (right) praised her former Sunrise colleague in a heartfelt post on Instagram on Thursday
Edwina, 37, praised her former Sunrise colleague in a heartfelt post on Instagram on Thursday.
‘Thanks for your friendship (and all the clothes I stole from your wardrobe over the years),’ she wrote.
‘You have been like a big sister to me and I know the next chapter will be even better than the last.’
United front: Michael, 37, and Samantha put rumours of a falling out to rest, happily mingling inside the event
Teaming up: The pair stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they posed for photos, holding hands and smiling for the cameras
Michael, 37, and Samantha put rumours of a falling-out to rest, happily mingling inside the event.
The pair stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they posed for photos, holding hands and smiling for the cameras.
Inside the restaurant, they could be seen chatting intimately as they stood between tables, before sharing a warm hug.
Talking it over: Inside the restaurant, they could be seen chatting intimately as they stood between tables, before sharing a warm hug
Hug it out: Michael praised Samantha after she announced she was leaving Sunrise on Monday after eight years as host
‘Her warm and genuine nature, combined with her journalistic excellence, has made her a winner with viewers,’ he said in a statement to Sunrise
Despite this, Samantha failed to mention Michael in her farewell speech on Sunrise, despite name-checking several of her other colleagues.
Samantha and Michael became close friends while working on Sunrise together, but their relationship is rumoured to have recently cooled.
Despite that, Michael publicly praised Samantha after she announced she was standing down after eight years as host.
Telling: Emerging from a white car, a smiling Samantha carried a straw clutch purse, aptly embroidered with the word, ‘Ciao’
Stepping out in style: She looked chic in a black and white patterned sundress with frills, which she paired with tan-coloured T-bar sandals and round sunglasses
‘Her warm and genuine nature, combined with her journalistic excellence, has made her a winner with viewers,’ he said in a statement to Sunrise.
‘There really is no one else like her. But all good things must come to an end, and after years of being such an important part of so many lives, it’s time for Sam to focus on her own.’
He added: ‘She goes out on top, with Sunrise on top. I think it’s her humour I’ll miss the most.’
Sad farewell: Samantha was all smiles at the luncheon, despite getting teary-eyed during her final moments on Sunrise
Samantha was all smiles at the luncheon, despite getting teary-eyed during her final moments on Sunrise.
She looked chic in a black and white patterned sundress with frills, which she paired with tan-coloured T-bar sandals and round sunglasses.
Emerging from a white car, a smiling Samantha carried a straw clutch purse, aptly embroidered with the word, ‘Ciao’.
Bearing gifts: Kylie, 53, arrived clutching a bouquet of flowers, believed to have been a gift for Samantha
Casual chic: She stepped out in a pair of wide-leg blue jeans, which she paired with an asymmetrical blue and white pinstripe top
Plenty to talk about: Michael and Kylie were seen chatting as they sat alongside each other at a table inside the restaurant
Her shoulder-length blonde hair was worn loose and styled straight, and she walked into the restaurant with Richard at her side.
The 60-year-old businessman donned dark blue jeans, a light blue button-up shirt and brown leather brogues.
Meanwhile, Kylie, 53, arrived clutching a bouquet of flowers, believed to have been a gift for Samantha.
Handsome: The 60-year-old businessman donned dark blue jeans, a light blue button-up shirt and brown leather brogues
Making an entrance: Her shoulder-length blonde hair was worn loose and styled straight, and she walked into the restaurant with Richard at her side
She stepped out in a pair of wide-leg blue jeans, which she paired with an asymmetrical blue and white pinstripe top.
The veteran TV host rounded out her ensemble with a pair of silver pointy-toe stilettos with bow detailing at the front.
Channel Seven is yet to reveal who will replace Samantha, but it’s believed an announcement will be made sometime next week.
Watch this space: Channel Seven is yet to reveal who will replace Samantha, but it’s believed an announcement will be made sometime next week