Natalie Barr 'surprised' Seven offered Sam Armytage another contract after ...

Natalie Barr 'surprised' Seven offered Sam Armytage another contract after ...
Natalie Barr 'surprised' Seven offered Sam Armytage another contract after ...

Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr was reportedly surprised when her predecessor Sam Armytage extended her contract with Channel Seven for another year.

Many industry observers had expected Armytage to walk off into the sunset and leave the TV industry behind after quitting the breakfast show in March to spend more time at her Southern Highlands farm with husband Richard Lavender.

But her decision this month to re-sign with Seven apparently blindsided Barr, who didn't expect her to stay at the network given unflattering remarks she had made about her colleagues following her exit from Sunrise, reports Woman's Day.

Breakfast TV wars: Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr (pictured) was reportedly surprised when her predecessor Sam Armytage extended her contract with Channel Seven for another year

Not going anywhere: Many industry observers had expected Armytage (pictured) to walk off into the sunset and leave the TV industry behind after quitting the breakfast show in March to spend more time at her Southern Highlands farm with husband Richard Lavender

Breakfast TV wars: Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr (left) was reportedly surprised when her predecessor Sam Armytage (right) extended her contract with Channel Seven for another year

Weeks before leaving Sunrise, Armytage had ruffled feathers by telling News Corp's Stellar magazine the TV industry was 'full of sociopaths and narcissists'.  

A source said: '[These comments] should've been a career suicide, but instead Nat, along with other colleagues, are worried that by allowing her back they're sending the wrong message.

'Imagine how Nat feels? Thankfully, after a series of back-to-back crisis meetings, senior management have assured [her] she's got nothing to worry about.'

Armytage isn't expected to return to Sunrise, and her commitments at Seven in 2022 are believed to be limited to horse racing coverage and guest hosting Farmer Wants A Wife alongside Natalie Gruzlewski.

Unexpected: Armytage's decision this month to re-sign with Seven apparently blindsided Barr, who didn't expect her to stay at the network given unflattering remarks she had made about her colleagues following her exit from Sunrise, reports Woman's Day

Unexpected: Armytage's decision this month to re-sign with Seven apparently blindsided Barr, who didn't expect her to stay at the network given unflattering remarks she had made about her colleagues following her exit from Sunrise, reports Woman's Day 

Woman's Day also claims Seven may have extended Armytage's contract simply to prevent her from signing to another commercial rival.

A source said the network was also be concerned about the possibility of Armytage releasing a 'brutal tell-all' book like former Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson has done.  

Barr, Sunrise's long-serving newsreader, replaced Armytage as co-anchor in March, stepping in alongside David 'Kochie' Koch. 

All is forgiven? Weeks before leaving Sunrise, Armytage had ruffled feathers by telling News Corp's Stellar magazine the TV industry was 'full of sociopaths and narcissists'. A source said, '[These comments] should've been a career suicide, but instead Nat, along with other colleagues, are worried that by allowing her back they're sending the wrong message'

All is forgiven? Weeks before leaving Sunrise, Armytage had ruffled feathers by telling News Corp's Stellar magazine the TV industry was 'full of sociopaths and narcissists'. A source said, '[These comments] should've been a career suicide, but instead Nat, along with other colleagues, are worried that by

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