SAM ARMYTAGE BREAKS SILENCE ON TODAY SHOW RUMOURS: ‘NO ONE’S ASKED ME TO REPLACE SARAH ABO’
- Sam Armytage addresses industry whispers she’ll replace Sarah Abo on Today Show
- Says ‘no one’s asked her’ to join Karl Stefanovic as co-host amid contract negotiations
- Abo’s $800k contract hangs in the balance as Armytage promotes new dating series
In a dramatic turn of events, former Sunrise host Sam Armytage has spoken out about the swirling rumours surrounding her potential return to breakfast TV, flatly denying she’s been approached to replace Sarah Abo on the Today Show.
Armytage appeared on KIIS FM’s The Kyle & Jackie O Show to promote her new hosting gig on Nine’s The Golden Bachelor, but the conversation quickly turned to the speculation plaguing the TV industry.
“What’s the rumour about the Today Show thing now? Is that just hyped-up rubbish, or has anyone from Nine ever said to you, ‘Would you consider doing early mornings again?'” Kyle Sandilands grilled her.
“No one has said that to me,” Armytage replied, downplaying the whispers. “You know, obviously this week has been busy because I’m doing lots of publicity for [The Golden Bachelor]. I think it’s kind of, you know, it’s gone hand in glove that there’s a chant about that after Golden Bachelor.”
Jacked-up by Sandilands’ intense questioning, Armytage danced around the topic, refusing to confirm or deny whether she’d consider replacing Abo, whose contract negotiations have reportedly stalled.
When Jackie “O” Henderson pressed her on the hypothetical, Armytage coyly responded, “I wouldn’t answer that hypothetical, Jackie.”
Sandilands quipped, “There’s got to be real cash on the table, Jackie,” but Armytage insisted she’s content with her current hosting gig.
“I’m really happy in prime time. This is what I came to Channel 9 for,” she said, deflecting speculation about a potential breakfast TV comeback.
Armytage’s awkward Today Show appearance this morning, alongside Golden Bachelor star Bear Myrden, saw her face off against Abo on live TV for the first time since the hosting rumours spread.
Reports claim Armytage is being eyed by Nine executives to join Karl Stefanovic as co-host, but the veteran anchor insisted, “I think Karl and Sarah are fabulous.”
The drama unfolded just days after a bombshell report exposed rumoured plans to dump Abo in favour of Armytage, with Nine’s television kingmaker Michael Healy said to believe pairing the two could prove the key to toppling Seven’s Sunrise in the breakfast ratings war.