Samantha Armytage is set to host the new reality matchmaking series The Golden Bachelor, and our insiders say she’s brought her A-game.
The former Farmer Wants A Wife star, 48, is said to have shocked Channel Nine executives with her unfiltered and emotionally raw performance.
Known for her polished on-screen persona, Daily Mail Australia can reveal the ex-Sunrise host dropped her guard during filming, which wrapped in Sydney last week.
Our sources claim the TV presenter completely opened up about her own experiences with divorce and single life in order to relate to the senior contestants.
‘You’ve never seen Sam like this before,’ one insider said.
‘She was candid, vulnerable and completely real. It left the mature-aged contestants stunned and viewers are in for a side of Sam they never expected!’
Samantha Armytage, 48, is said to have shocked Channel Nine executives with her unfiltered and emotionally raw performance on The Golden Bachelor
‘This reboot of The Bachelor needs to be heartwarming and relatable,’ a source from the Nine set added.
‘If the women don’t open their hearts to Bear our “Golden Bachelor” we don’t have a show.’
Sam recently confirmed her split from husband Richard Lavender after nearly four years of marriage.
‘All breakups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact that it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other,’ she said at the time.
Now it seems she has channelled her personal experiences into her hosting duties, offering some sage advice and encouraging vulnerability from the lovelorn stars.
While Sam maintained a composed presence on Farmer Wants A Wife, insiders have said The Golden Bachelor allowed her to connect more deeply with contestants.
‘Sam dropped her guard many times, sharing personal stories that encouraged the women to open up as well,’ the source added.
‘At one point Sam walked out of the room and one of the women asked a producer: “Will that be on the show?”‘
Known for her polished on-screen persona, Daily Mail Australia can reveal the ex Sunrise host dropped her guard during filming and opened up about her divorce from Richard Lavender
The Golden Bachelor, which features singles aged 60 and above seeking love, required a host who could foster genuine connections.
‘Producers often struggle to get TV presenters to let their barriers down but Sam did it effortlessly,’ said another close source from the set.
‘Producers can try and get TV presenters in these “reality shows” to do this kind of work and let their barriers down but it’s very difficult and very rare for presenters in Australia like Samantha Armytage, Sonia Kruger and Julia Morris to drop the brand and just be real.’
The inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor stars Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, a widowed father and infrastructure engineer from Sydney.
Filming took place at the heritage-listed Tresco estate in Elizabeth Bay, providing a picturesque backdrop for the romantic journey.
As for the outcome of the show, even the contestants are in the dark.
‘Two women haven’t joined the WhatsApp group, so no one knows who Barry chose,’ an insider revealed.
With Sam’s newfound openness and the show’s focus on heartfelt connections, The Golden Bachelor promises to be a fresh addition to Australia’s reality TV landscape.
The inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor stars Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, a widowed father and infrastructure engineer from Sydney
Sam separated from equestrian businessman Richard, 61, on the eve of their fourth wedding anniversary.
She started dating Richard in April 2019, and they announced their engagement in June 2020.
The couple then tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year’s Eve of that same year.
But late last year, sources revealed their split exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, with Samantha then confirming they had ‘amicably’ gone their separate ways.
‘Yes Richard and I have separated. All breakups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other,’ Samantha said.
‘I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won’t be making any further comment.’
