Sunrise host Samantha Armytage reduces on-air duties for Seven just weeks after facing international backlash for a resurfaced ‘racist’ segment from 2015
From June 22, Samantha Armytage will no longer host Seven’s popular breakfast program, Sunrise, on Mondays.
The TV host, 43, has chosen to take a step back from her on-air responsibilities, and opt for a four-day working week.
The Daily Telegraph reported the announcement on Sunday, which follows the journalist receiving international backlash for a resurfaced ‘racist’ Sunrise segment.
Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, 43, (pictured) will reduce her on-air duties for Seven from Monday, June 22, as she moves to a four-day working week indefinitely
In the wake of #BlackLivesMatter protests, the 2015 segment became widely circulated on Twitter and was re-published by overseas news websites.
However, Seven has claimed the embattled morning TV star’s recent controversy had nothing to do with her move to a four-day week, as she had apparently requested it in 2019.
‘Sam’s doing a great job. We’re happy. The ensemble is doing fantastically. There is no suggestion we want her anywhere but here,’ Seven’s news director Craig McPherson told the publication.
‘There is no suggestion we want her anywhere but here’: Seven has claimed the embattled morning TV star’s recent controversy had nothing to do with her move to a four-day week, as she had apparently requested it in 2019
The paper did point out that Samantha previously denied claims she wanted a four-day week like her co-star David ‘Kochie’ Koch earlier this year.
‘I am NOT off contract at the end of 2020 … I have NEVER asked 7 for a 4 day week,’ Samantha said at the time.
With Samantha absent from the desk on Mondays, journalist Natalie Barr will fill in.
Samantha’s fill-in: With Samantha absent from the desk on Mondays going forward, journalist Natalie Barr (left) will co-host with David ‘Kochie’ Koch (right) at the start of the working week
Natalie previously covered for the anchor for six weeks earlier this year, as Samantha fought off a ‘respiratory infection’.
The program’s long-time newsreader also fills in for co-anchor David Koch on Fridays, as he also works a four-day week.
Channel Seven’s Sunrise airs from 5:30am weekdays
Channel Seven’s Sunrise airs from 5:30am weekdays. Pictured L to R: Natalie Barr, Samantha Armytage, David Koch and Mark Beretta