Sunrise co-host Samantha Armytage is set to tie the knot with fiancé Richard Lavender, 61, in an intimate ceremony on New Year’s Eve, after a whirlwind romance.
And it seems that the 44-year-old has had a rather rocky road to true love – and a string of high-profile relationships.
Daily Mail Australia takes a look back at some of Sam’s most famous exes, after she found The One in equestrian businessman Richard.
Meet Samantha Armytage’s famous exes: Sunrise host, 44, has had a rocky road to love – as she prepares to marry Richard Lavender (pictured)
HOTELIER PETER DE ANGELIS
The Seven star dated the playboy hotelier in 2011 after her split from her long-term builder boyfriend, known just as Sean.
Despite often being pictured together at social events, Samantha and Peter’s relationship was short-lived, splitting in 2012.
Peter only has the highest regard for his former love, telling media back in 2014: ‘I wish her all the best and every success on her book [Shine].’
Case of the ex: The Seven star dated the playboy hotelier in 2011 after her split from her long-term builder boyfriend, known just as Sean. Despite often being pictured together at social events, Samantha and Peter’s relationship was short-lived, splitting in 2012
RUSSELL CROWE
Samantha described the actor, 56, as ‘very charming’ when he gifted her with a mix tape of his music, after she interviewed him for Sunrise in 2013 for his role in blockbuster Man Of Steel.
And a year on – with another Russell Crowe interview under her belt – Samantha strenuously denied Woman’s Day’s claims of a budding romance.
Speaking on Sunrise in December 2014, Samantha deflected claims that there’s anything more than professional conduct between herself and the Oscar winner, saying: ‘I’m denying, I’m strenuously denying.’
Before adding: ‘It’s [the reports of romance] all a bit of fun.’
Romance rumours: Samantha described the actor, 56, as ‘very charming’ when he gifted her with a mix tape of his music, after she interviewed him for Sunrise in 2013 for his role in blockbuster Man Of Steel
ERIC STONESTREET
Samantha got people talking when she enjoyed a lunch date with Modern Family actor Eric Stonestreet back in 2014.
Calling into The Kyle and Jackie O Show in May 2015, the 48-year-old U.S. star confirmed their date, saying: ‘I can tell you 100 per cent that…we had lunch.’
‘Is that code for something?’ host Kyle Sandilands pushed.
Not giving in, Eric added: ‘It was well documented. She tweeted me and I said you organise it and I’ll be there and we had lunch.’
Eric and Samantha had a five hour lunch at Matt Moran’s Chiswick restaurant in 2014, after he extended his stay Down Under once filming wrapped on the Modern Family episode that was being shot.
Making headlines: Samantha got people talking when she enjoyed a lunch date with Modern Family actor Eric Stonestreet back in 2014
MICHAEL USHER
Samantha and the Channel Seven newsreader, 50, were the subject of romance rumours as early as 2015.
Their first attempt at a romance happened in 2015 when Sunrise’s Natalie Barr tried to arrange a dinner date for her two single friends.
Sydney Confidential reported the pair had been ‘flirting’ for a while before Michael decided to ask Samantha on a date again in 2017.
Former flame? Samantha and the Channel Seven newsreader, 50, were the subject of romance rumours as early as 2015
Platonic? Samantha’s representatives have denied the reports, insisting they have always been just friends
They had allegedly been ‘spending time together’ in her Southern Highlands retreat in a bid to escape the spotlight in Sydney.
However they reportedly called it quits in June 2017 after a short-lived romance.
Samantha’s representatives have denied the reports, insisting they have always been just friends.
PAUL O’BRIEN
Ex: Samantha was said to have been dating private jet tycoon Paul O’Brien (back right) ‘for several months’ in June last year, after previously breaking off their romance in late 2018
Samantha was said to have been dating private jet tycoon Paul O’Brien ‘for several months’ in June last year, after previously breaking off their romance in late 2018.
The pair were first spotted publicly in March 2018 on a dog walking date in Sydney, and seen again in September that year while having breakfast in Melbourne.
According to Now To Love, the couple then ‘took a break’ in January 2019, before briefly reconciling but they ‘split’ again in late April 2019.
RICHARD LAVENDER
Sam and Richard, who have been reportedly dating since last April, officially confirmed their romance in November last year.
They attended their first public event together as a couple in early October at the Royal Randwick Racecourse.
Richard has previously admitted that he fell for Sam the very first time he laid eyes on her.
The One: Sam and Richard, who have been reportedly dating since last April, officially confirmed their romance in November last year
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph at the Everest Carnival Fashion Lunch in Sydney in October, the millionaire businessman was not shy in admitting his feelings.
‘It was immediate. This sounds really stupid but I thought, “gee whiz, I like that girl” from the moment I first saw her,’ he said.
Richard went on to say that he had no idea Sam was a television star, and felt comfortable with her right way.
Smitten! Richard has previously admitted that he fell for Sam the very first time he laid eyes on her
‘I had no idea what she did or anything like that, which was probably a plus. You know when you meet someone and you feel comfortable,’ he said.
Sam told the publication the pair were ‘very lucky they met’ because they have a lot in common – especially enjoying horse racing.
‘Whether we are watching the races at home or we are at the track, we really both very much enjoy the races and everything that goes with that,’ she said.
According to News.com.au, Sam will marry Richard on New Year’s Eve on Thursday, approximately six months after getting engaged.
Nuptials: According to News.com.au, Sam will marry Richard on New Year’s Eve on Thursday, approximately six months after getting engaged
She will reportedly marry the equestrian businessman at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW.
It will be an intimate ceremony with a ‘small number of guests’ only.
The happy couple announced their engagement back in June with an Instagram post that received almost 60,000 likes.
Posing in the arms of Richard with her ring on full display, a smiling Sam wrote: ‘What a year…’
The image appeared to have been taken at Richard’s property, which is where the pair will tie the knot on New Year’s Eve.
‘What a year’: The happy couple announced their engagement back in June with an Instagram post that received almost 60,000 likes