Samantha Armytage has broken her silence on “grief” after splitting from her husband Richard Lavender, as Nine plots to replace Today host Sarah Abo with the ex-Seven presenter.

Samantha Armytage has opened up about “grief” as she broke her silence on splitting from her husband, equestrian businessman Richard Lavender.

The former Sunrise host, 49, spoke to Stellar’s Something To Talk About podcast host Sarrah Le Marquand on Sunday, saying she tried to save her marriage with Richard before the pair announced their split last December.

“What I’ll say for my marriage (is) we gave it a go,” Armytage said.

“It didn’t work out, so we moved on.

“Last year was a big year. There was a lot of change and a lot of grief.”

The TV host referred to the heartbreaking loss of her dog Banjo, who died in February 2024, just weeks after she announced her split, due to a suspected snake bite at her father’s property near Wagga Wagga, NSW.

“He was my baby,” Armytage said to Le Marquand of the Labrador.

“Then I had a total hip replacement and (I) literally had to learn to walk again.”

Sam Armytage separated from husband Richard Lavender in December. Picture: Supplied.
“I left my marriage, renovated a house from my hospital bed, changed TV networks, changed jobs.”

“But I moved into 2025 in such a positive way. I feel this is my act two. I get another go here.”

Meanwhile, the host is tipped to replace Sarah Abo as co-host of Today alongside Karl Stefanovic, with Nine executives plotting the reshuffle.

The Australian’s Media Diary on Monday reported the network was considering the move to boost its second-place position in the breakfast ratings timeslot, as Seven’s Sunrise program continues to reign supreme.

It comes as Abo renegotiates her contract with Nine after reportedly asking for a bumper pay increase from her current $800,000 a year, a whopping $2 million less than Stefanovic despite working the same hours.

However, Nine’s top brass is eyeing Armytage for the high-profile breakfast role, according to sources who spoke to the publication.

Sources said Nine’s TV kingpin Michael Healy dubbed Armytage and Stefanovic his “dream” Today show duo.

Abo’s position at the network remains unclear, with Nine CEO Matt Stanton tight-lipped on whether she could be at Nine in the new year.

“I suspect so,” Mr Stanton said.

He was even less forthcoming about the Stefanovic-Armytage team-up.

“I don’t know. I’m not into that level, to be honest. I haven’t seen that level of detail,” he said of the reshuffle.

Samantha Armytage and the Golden Bachelor Barry Myrden on the red carpet of the 65th TV WEEK Logie Awards 2025. Picture: Jonathan Ng/NCA

Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo attend the 65th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star. Picture: Don Arnold/WireImage
Armytage sat on the Sunrise couch alongside David Koch from 2013 until 2021.

The combination of Armytage and Koch saw Sunrise consistently take the lead in the morning TV wars with its rival Today.

Armytage defected from her longtime employer Channel Seven to Channel Nine in October 2024 and was unveiled as host of the network’s new dating show The Golden Bachelor.

The Golden Bachelor is a new twist on the popular Bachelor dating franchise and will see a group of older Australians competing for the hearts of Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, a widower in his 50s from Manly in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, on October 20.

Armytage walked the red carpet arm in arm with Mydern at the 2025 Logie Awards in August, sparking romance rumours between the pair.

However, the 58-year-old quickly shut down the speculation the two were an item in her wide-ranging interview with Stellar.

“As soon as I signed up to do this show, I thought, ‘Here we go.’ But, no. I promise you, I have not been dating the Golden Bachelor,” she said.

Armytage announced her split from Lavender after four years of marriage in a statement to the Daily Telegraph last December.

“Yes, Richard and I have separated,” she said.

“All breakups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable, and we wish the best for each other.”