Insiders have revealed the real reason behind Farmer Wants a Wife host Samantha Armytage‘s decision to quit Channel Seven.
The 47-year-old shocked fans and peers alike when she announced on August 4 that she is departing the network she’s been a part of for 21 years. It comes after reports that Samantha recently signed a two-year contract for FWAW.
In a statement to the Daily Telegraph, the former Sunrise co-host said she leaves Seven “with lots of goodwill in [her] heart and excitement about the future”.
“I’m big on instinct. I listen to my instinct; I know when the time comes,” she said.
“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.”
According to one inside source, Samantha’s decision to leave Seven was far beyond initial reports that the network’s talent is allegedly facing pay cuts.
Why is Samantha Armytage leaving Channel Seven?
The insider dished to Yahoo Lifestyle that Samantha is keen to find a gig more fulfilling than drama-riddled Farmer Wants a Wife.
“Since Sam left Sunrise [in 2021], all they’ve really given her is Farmer,” the Seven source said.
After three years at the dating show’s helm, Samantha “wants something gritty and real, not something to be shafted into reality”.
The source added, “Throughout her career, Sam’s travelled the world covering wars, natural disasters, and the biggest stories of most people’s lifetimes. She misses the rush that comes with knowing she’s making a difference.”
According to the insider, the TV veteran feels that mature women in the industry are often “disregarded” and “seen as past it”.
As such, it’s “pushed her” to pursue new gigs and prove people wrong.
Samantha Armytage addresses Channel Seven departure on Instagram
Taking to Instagram after the news broke, Samantha said 21 years is classed as a “coming of age”.
“And so, after that many years, I am departing Channel 7 with lots of happy memories, a full heart and huge thanks to the many fantastic colleagues along the journey,” she penned.
“I started at 7 as a fresh-faced 26-year-old journo and will leave as a… ahem… more matured-faced woman who’s worked hard, had THE most incredible experiences, and also had a lot of fun.”
Alongside a “highlights reel” of her career, she concluded: “This is not the end, just the end of this chapter.”
Who will replace Samantha Armytage on Farmer Wants a Wife?
Per the Daily Telegraph, the new season of Farmer Wants a Wife is in pre-production, with OG host Natalie Gruzlewski returning in Samantha’s place. Huzzah!
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