Sam Armytage looks serious departing Seven’s Martin Place studios in Sydney in her luxury Range Rover after on-air Sunrise resignation… as replacement tipped to be announced by week’s end
Sam Armytage became emotional when she spectacularly quit Channel Seven’s Sunrise program on Monday.
The TV host revealed her surprise on-air announcement was motivated by her need to live a ‘calm’ and ‘slow’ lifestyle away from the public eye.
Just hours after her shock resignation, Sam looked serious as she left the network’s Martin Place studios behind he wheel of her Range Rover Sport (estimated to be worth more than $106,000).
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Beep beep: Sam Armytage looked serious as she left Seven’s Martin Place studios in Sydney in her Range Rover on Monday… just hours after making tearful on-air resignation from Sunrise
It’s unclear how long Sam’s ‘extended’ leave of absence will be, but if she did return before her contract was up she would likely be looking at other prime-time gigs.
According to Sydney Morning Herald, Sam was estimated to be making $800,000 a year at Seven at the time of her resignation.
The star, who has fronted Sunrise for the past eight years, looked deep in thought as she left the secure car park.
Sam traded her TV wardrobe for something more comfortable and relaxed, as she nailed casual-chic in a striped button-up.
Massive Monday: The star, who has fronted Sunrise for the past eight years, looked deep in thought as she left the secure car park
Casual: Sam traded her TV wardrobe for something more comfortable and relaxed, as she nailed casual-chic in a striped button-up
As the decision, which was likely weighing on Sam for some time, was lifted, Sam was seen giving a slight smirk as she merged into lanes of traffic leaving the CBD.
She kept her makeup application on, and placed dark shades over her eyes for the drive home – potentially to a nearby hotel where she stays during the week while her husband Richard Lavender remains in New South Wales’ Southern Highlands.
Sam was later seen walking her dog Banjo with Richard around Sydney.
While Seven has not yet announced Sam’s replacement, industry website TV Blackbox reports Sunrise newsreader Natalie Barr will be stepping in alongside co-anchor David ‘Kochie’ Koch.
Happy days: As the decision, which was likely weighing on Sam for some time, was lifted, Sam was seen giving a slight smirk as she merged into lanes of traffic leaving the CBD
Hot contender: While Seven has not yet announced Sam’s replacement, industry website TV Blackbox reports newsreader Natalie Barr will likely step in alongside co-anchor David ‘Kochie’ Koch in wake of Sam’s shock departure
Jumping ship? In November, New Idea hinted that Studio 10 host Sarah Harris (pictured) could defect from Channel 10 to Seven if Sam’s role became free
In November, New Idea hinted that Studio 10 host Sarah Harris could jump networks from Channel 10 to Seven if Sam’s role became free.
Interestingly, Sarah was apparently a guest at Sunrise producer Michael Pell’s star-studded house party last month.
And on Monday, just 10 minutes after Sam’s tearful exit from Sunrise, Sarah was not present for that start of her Channel 10 show Studio 10 at 8.30am.
Sam’s official replacement will apparently be announced during her last day on air on Thursday, March 11.
Farewell: Sam’s last day on Sunrise will be Thursday, March 11. Pictured alongside co-host Kochie during her tearful announcement on Monday