Sam Armytage is ‘blissfully happy with married life’ and could leave Sunrise

She’s the popular host of Australia’s most-watched breakfast show, Sunrise.

But despite being loved by viewers from coast to coast, Sam Armytage is said to be thinking seriously about her future at Channel Seven and the possibility of taking a step back from her television career.

After getting married to businessman Richard Lavender on New Year’s Eve, the 44-year-old is apparently considering walking off into the sunset, Woman’s Day reported earlier this month. 

When will the queen of Sunrise walk off into the sunset? Sam Armytage is said to be thinking seriously about her future at Seven and the possibility of taking a step back from her TV career

‘It’s clear Sam has a new life and the writing is on the wall that times are changing,’ a source told the magazine.

The insider added that Sam ‘just wants to be with her new husband and live a quiet life’ in the NSW Southern Highlands, where they both spend their weekends.

‘There’s no denying she’s blissfully happy with married life, so maybe now is the time to switch off the alarm clock and enjoy brand new beginnings,’ they concluded.

Retirement: After getting married to Richard Lavender on New Year's Eve, the 44-year-old is apparently considering walking off into the sunset, Woman's Day reported earlier this month. Pictured: Sam and Richard on their wedding day in the Southern Highlands

Retirement: After getting married to Richard Lavender on New Year’s Eve, the 44-year-old is apparently considering walking off into the sunset, Woman’s Day reported earlier this month. Pictured: Sam and Richard on their wedding day in the Southern Highlands

The Woman’s Day report resurfaced on Wednesday after Sam revealed on The Kyle and Jackie O Show that early retirement had crossed her mind since getting married.

She said that while she was ‘very happy’ in her job – and still under contract at Seven – she hadn’t ruled out giving up her TV career for a more relaxed life in the country.

Sam made the admission while discussing her wedding to millionaire horse breeder Richard, which took place at his $2million estate in Berrima.

Radio host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson observed: ‘I get the feeling, Sam, that you’re going to give this up next contract or something.’

Speaking out: The Woman's Day report resurfaced on Wednesday after Sam (left, with David 'Kochie' Koch) revealed that early retirement had crossed her mind since getting married

Speaking out: The Woman’s Day report resurfaced on Wednesday after Sam (left, with David ‘Kochie’ Koch) revealed that early retirement had crossed her mind since getting married

She then asked: ‘Do you ever see yourself doing that [retiring to the country]?’

Sam replied: ‘Oh yeah, I think down the track I could, easily.’

When asked if she would miss working in TV, Sam offered a thoughtful response.

‘I do wonder… there’s a lot of adrenaline in television. Anything that’s live there’s a lot of adrenaline. Sometimes I wonder… but by the same token you don’t want that adrenaline all the time,’ she said.

Sea change: She told The Kyle and Jackie O Show she was 'very happy' in her job but could 'easily' see herself embracing country life 'down the track'. Pictured during Sunrise's coverage of the presidential inauguration with guest commentator Megyn Kelly (right)

Sea change: She told The Kyle and Jackie O Show she was ‘very happy’ in her job but could ‘easily’ see herself embracing country life ‘down the track’. Pictured during Sunrise’s coverage of the presidential inauguration with guest commentator Megyn Kelly (right)

‘And you know, I’ve been a journo for 22 years. I’m very old.’

‘If I were in your shoes, it’s something I would think about,’ Jackie said.

This prompted Jackie’s co-host Kyle Sandilands to say: ‘Why are you trying to push her out of TV? You want to move over to Sam’s job?’ 

Women's intuition? Radio host Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) observed: 'I get the feeling, Sam, that you're going to give this up next contract or something'

Women’s intuition? Radio host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson (pictured) observed: ‘I get the feeling, Sam, that you’re going to give this up next contract or something’

This isn’t the first time Sam has been the subject of rumours she’s considering an exit from Sunrise, which she has co-hosted with David ‘Kochie’ Koch since 2013.

Before she wed Richard, 61, last month, Sam’s future at Seven was the subject of an article by journalist Andrew Hornery in the Nine-owned Sun-Herald newspaper.

Mr Hornery’s column noted that ‘a question mark hangs over’ Sam’s future at Seven, with 2021 perhaps being the year when her priorities shift from her career to ‘marriage and starting a family’ with Richard.

Partnership: Sam has co-anchored Sunrise with David 'Kochie' Koch (right) since 2013

Partnership: Sam has co-anchored Sunrise with David ‘Kochie’ Koch (right) since 2013 

Sam strongly denied the allegations at the time and accused the reporter of doing a hatchet job on her because Sunrise had beaten Nine’s Today show in the ratings. 

She tweeted: ‘Another Sunday morning… another dumb story from a newspaper. Good one, Channel Nine. If you can’t beat Sunrise in the ratings, invent a (bitchy) column for some Christmas “cheer”. What a grot that Hornery is…’

A spokesperson for Nine Newspapers said: ‘We stand by Andrew Hornery’s story.’

Meanwhile, Seven has denied there are plans to change the Sunrise line-up in 2021.

Craig McPherson, Seven’s Director of News and Current Affairs, told industry website TV Tonight last month: ‘Everyone’s back next year, no changes flagged there.’

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for further comment.

Denial: Last month, Sam furiously hit back at a report in a Nine-owned newspaper which claimed her position at Seven was 'one of the biggest question marks of 2021'

Denial: Last month, Sam furiously hit back at a report in a Nine-owned newspaper which claimed her position at Seven was ‘one of the biggest question marks of 2021’ 

Sam and Richard tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands on New Year’s Eve.

They exchanged vows at his home shortly before midday, then moved to a luncheon at the Centennial Vineyards Restaurant in Bowral.

Sam looked stunning on her special day in a white long-sleeve dress by Carla Zampatti with a matching ribbon in her hair.

The intimate ceremony only featured a small number of guests due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Richard’s daughters, Sasha and Grace, believed to be in attendance.

Sam’s father, Mac, was seated at the head of the table at the reception, while her younger brother, Charlie, sat nearby.

Options: Sam and Richard tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands on New Year's Eve. They exchanged vows at his home shortly before midday, then moved to a luncheon at the Centennial Vineyards Restaurant in Bowral

Options: Sam and Richard tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands on New Year’s Eve. They exchanged vows at his home shortly before midday, then moved to a luncheon at the Centennial Vineyards Restaurant in Bowral

A source told Daily Mail Australia of the nuptials: ‘Champagne was flowing, and at one point they had several waiters attending to their every need.

‘However, they didn’t get any VIP treatment, and while they were away from other guests, they were sitting among locals and tourists.’ 

The Lavenders started dating in April 2019 after meeting at a mutual friend’s party, and announced their engagement in June last year.