Just a few months after Samantha Armytage announced she would be leaving Channel Seven, the network has revealed who will be taking over her role as host of Farmer Wants A Wife in 2025. Seven confirmed at their annual Upfronts event on Wednesday that the upcoming fifteenth season will be presented by Natalie Gruzlewski.
Natalie was the original host of the reality show when it aired on Channel Nine from 2007 to 2012 and returned in 2020 when the series was rebooted on Channel Seven. Samantha then joined as a special guest in 2022 but became the main host for the following two seasons while Natalie stepped into a co-host position.
Seven Chief Content Officer Brook Hall also revealed at the Upfronts that the new season will be “really pure” and “authentic”.
“We’re actually filming this week, the final decisions and a couple of farmers are very, very happy where they are. So I think we’re going to have more of those success stories again,” he teased.
Fans call for Natalie’s return
Viewers began pitching for Natalie to return as the primary host of Farmer Wants A Wife immediately after Sam announced her departure, with many arguing that it’s “always been Natalie’s show”.
“I prefer Nat but didn’t dislike Sam. I wish her nothing but success and I hope they change the direction of the show back to the original format,” one person wrote on Facebook, while another simply added, “Bring back Nat!”.
“I’m not going to bother next season unless they change the format back and Nat is the host,” a third shared, followed by someone else who said, “Nat had such a bubbly genuine, kind, friendly and warm presence”.
“The show’s not the same without her. Her personality as the host was so kind and genuine!” a different user remarked.
Samantha Armytage’s new gig revealed
Following Samantha’s departure, it’s since been revealed that the former Sunrise anchor will host The Golden Bachelor on Channel Nine in 2025. The series, which launched in the US last year starring 72-year-old Gerry Turner, is a spin-off of the popular dating franchise featuring senior citizens finding love.
Nine revealed the exciting news at its Upfronts event last month, confirming that the reality show will air sometime next year.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Samantha Armytage to Nine as the new host for our quest for love, The Golden Bachelor, where everyone deserves a second chance at love. Maybe a third or a fourth,” Nine’s Chief Marketing Officer Liana Dubois said.