Speculation about who could potentially host Channel Nine’s forthcoming The Golden Bachelor is reaching fever pitch.
Entertainment journalist Peter Ford weighed into the debate this week, tipping that the host of the Nine version of the ABC US smash hit will be none other than Samantha Armytage.
The popular presenter, 47, announced her departure from Seven in August after 21 years with the network.
Taking to X, Peter responded to a report on Inside Media about the likely host, claiming it would be almost certainly be the former Farmer Wants A Wife helmer.
‘If I were a betting man, I’d put money on @samarmytage,’ Peter suggested.
‘She’s now a free agent after leaving 7 and has been clear she was interested in new opportunities.’
The report itself scuttled rumours that previous Bachelor host Osher Gunsberg would make a return to the franchise.
‘For those wondering whether original Bachelor host Osher Gunsberg will be returning to the franchise I have some very bad news,’ presenter Rob McKnight began.
Respected entertainment journalist Peter Ford has tipped Samantha Armytage
‘My sources say Osher has missed out on a Red Rose.’
Rob added that he will be replaced by a ‘popular, but surprising’ TV presenter.
‘And I can confirm, despite media speculation, that it is not Sonia Kruger,’ he said.
Yahoo Lifestyle reported last week that Sonia could be getting ready to jump ship from Seven to host the latest iteration of the Bachelor franchise.
“The word on the street is that Sonia could reboot The Golden Bachelor on Channel Nine in 2025,’ a source told the publication.
Rob said that while he couldn’t spill the beans just yet, that Osher’s replacement would ‘blow your mind.’
‘If I were a betting man, I’d put money on @samarmytage,’ Peter suggested on X. ‘She’s now a free agent after leaving 7 and has been clear she was interested in new opportunities’
Peter was responding to a report on Inside Media that scuttled suggestions that former host Osher Gunsberg or Sonia Kruger were frontrunners to helm the reality show. Pictured is Gerry Turner, the US Golden Bachelor
TV Blackbox reported in August that Nine will be formally announcing an Australian version of The Golden Bachelor at its yearly Upfronts event in October.
The original series, which screened on ABC in the US, starred 72-year-old Gerry Turner, a retired restauranteur and widower.
Gerry chose to propose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist and the network aired their wedding as a live special.
Despite the fanfare, the couple divorced three months later.
The series proved to be a ratings juggernaut for ABC, with the finale hitting 6.1 million American screens, giving the franchise its highest numbers in three years.
Host Rob McKnight teased the host was a very ‘popular, but surprising TV presenter that would ‘blow your mind’
Its premiere episode also set ratings records for ABC, as reported by Deadline , debuting as the highest-rated premiere on Hulu for any series in the franchise, and as ABC’s number one series premiere ever on the streaming platform Live+3.
The publication also reported that the strength of the Golden Bachelor has seen the franchise expand again with ABC announcing The Golden Bachelorette.
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, a spokesperson for Channel Nine said they wouldn’t be confirming their programming lineup for 2025 until the Upfronts event in October.
