Sam Armytage’s ‘Sunrise’ replacement announced

Samantha Armytage shocked viewers last week when she announced she was quitting Sunrise. Now, just days after her departure, her replacement has been announced.

The Seven Network announced on Sunday that Natalie Barr will step into Sam’s shoes as the new co-host of the breakfast show.

Natalie has served as Sunrise’s newsreader and regular fill-in co-host over the last 18 years. She will join David ‘Kochie’ Koch at the desk alongside sports presenter Mark Beretta, news presenter Edwina Bartholomew and weatherman Sam Mac.

“While I’ve absolutely loved my role as newsreader, I’ve now been given the chance to move half a metre along the desk closer to Kochie and give something new a try,” Natalie said in a statement on Sunday. “I like to think of it as same-same but different. I can’t wait.”

It’s Nat! We’re thrilled to reveal that @natalie_barr is joining @kochie_online as our brand new co-host from Monday ???? pic.twitter.com/VH1KQPEN9q

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) March 13, 2021

Kochie also released a statement, saying: “Our viewers know Nat is way more than just a newsreader. For years she has always stepped up as a co-host, filling in for Sam and I, and spent much of last year leading our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We all love her wicked sense of humour and no-nonsense approach to life. Nat is a wonderful person, with a wonderful family, and I can’t wait to sit alongside her as we continue to evolve Sunrise.”

“Sincere thanks to everyone who sent their well-wishes over the weekend, I really, really appreciate it”@Natalie_Barr has shifted half a metre up to the desk to her spot next to @Kochie_Online as our new co-host! pic.twitter.com/UPGK8ZCysg

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) March 14, 2021

Monday morning marked Natalie’s first day in the gig, and it didn’t take too long before Kochie had a dig at his new co-host.

“After 18 years as part of the family … and we were never convinced she could do this after 18 years,” he said jokingly.

Natalia jumped in then saying: “Excuse me! Okay, the first five minutes [and] I’m already punching you. This is going to be fun.”

Sam announced she was leaving the popular breakfast show last Monday. At the time, she said that the death of her mum last November and her recent wedding to former horse breeder Richard Lavender were sone of the many reasons she decided to leave the show.

“As many of you know, the last six months of my personal life have been very bitter-sweet, some bits have been very happy, and some bits have been very, very sad,” she said. “And I want to step out of this public world for a while and take some time and calm things down, enjoy a bit of slow living and spend some time with my precious family, my husband and [my dog] Banjo.

“My mother used to say to me, ‘edit your life frequently and ruthlessly, it’s your masterpiece after all’. And that’s precisely what I’m doing. This is a chapter, it’s not the whole story, and I have a few days left to say goodbye to you all, for now.”