Samantha Armytage's surprise return to Channel Seven has ruffled quite a few feathers among her former colleagues at Seven, reports claim.
The 45-year-old surprised fans last week by announcing her role on the upcoming season of Seven dating show Farmer Wants a Wife.
Samantha's former Sunrise co-stars were reportedly 'stumped' by the news that Sam would be returning to screens, mere months her shock departure from Seven.
She's back! Samantha Armytage's (pictured) surprise return to Channel Seven has ruffled quite a few feathers among her former colleagues at Seven, reports claim
'There was a lot of talk and whispering in the corridors,' an insider told Woman's Day Magazine on Monday.
'It will go down as one of the most baffling decisions the network has made in a very long time,' they added.
The Sunrise cast, including co-hosts David 'Kochie' Koch and Natalie Barr, were apparently left speechless in the hours after reporter Edwina Bartholomew announced Sam's new gig on-air.
'There was a lot of talk and whispering in the corridors': Samantha's former Sunrise co-stars were reportedly 'stumped' by the news that Sam would be returning to screens, mere months her shock departure from Seven. Pictured: Sunrise co-hosts Natalie Barr, David 'Kochie' Koch
'There was a very awkward silence on the Sunrise set the morning after the announcement,' the insider said, describing the reaction as 'very telling'.
Samantha stepped down as co-host of Sunrise in March, announcing on-air that she wanted to 'step out of this public world for a while, take some time and calm things down... enjoy a bit of slow living.'
However, on Tuesday, Samantha made the shock announcement at Channel Seven's Upfronts that she would be joining Farmer Wants a Wife.
Surprise! The 45-year-old shocked fans last week by announcing her role on the upcoming season of Seven dating show Farmer Wants a Wife
Samantha, who married wealthy farmer Richard Lavender late last year, will assist with the matchmaking process alongside host Natalie Gruzlewski.
'I'm thrilled to be joining Farmer Wants a Wife in 2022,' she said.
'I've always been a huge fan of the show and of country people, and I know first-hand that falling in love with a farmer is just about the most wonderful thing you can do.'
Her guest role will involve hosting a segment called Sam's Choice, in which she introduces the farmers to a 'new lady based on her own expertise and experience'.
