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Samantha Armytage ‘blindsided’ as Channel Seven producers eye ex-husband Richard Lavender for Farmer Wants A Wife revamp

BBG News

Samantha Armytage was taken aback by rumors that her former spouse, Richard Lavender, might be approached by Channel Seven production team for a potential role on the next season of Farmer Wants A Wife.

As reported by New Idea, the network executives are secretly considering the 65-year-old equestrian entrepreneur as an ideal candidate for the reimagined 2026 season, a decision that has allegedly left the previous host feeling quite uneasy.

48-year-old Armytate, who once starred in a popular reality dating program, recently changed networks from Seven to Nine, hosting ‘The Golden Bachelor’ instead. This shift, combined with the casting decision, has added fuel to the controversy surrounding the timing and choice of contestants.

According to a source, Sam doesn’t seem fond of the notion that Richard might be part of Farmer’s project. In truth, she might even find it somewhat disrespectful.

On New Year’s Eve in 2020, the couple got married in a private ceremony held at Lavender’s estate in the Southern Highlands. However, they decided to separate in December of the following year, which was almost exactly four years into their marriage.

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In December, it was Daily Mail Australia that disclosed the separation, hinting at potential stresses within their combined household, which might have stemmed from alleged disagreements between the couple and Lavender’s grown-up daughters. These disputes could have played a role in the dissolution of their marriage.

Currently, there’s talk among producers about giving Farmer Wants A Wife a refresh by featuring older farmers and reducing the level of drama. This tactic is aimed at competing with the popularity of The Golden Bachelor on Nine, where Armytage happens to be a star.

According to an inside source, the production team is aiming to avoid monotony with the format, as they’re eager to provide a modern makeover to the show, hoping to match up against its increasingly tough rivals.

However, it’s said that the news of her former husband, who typically shied away from the limelight during their marriage, now occupying the same public stage has allegedly unsettled the television host.

One TV industry source commented that the prospect of Richard getting swept up in the media frenzy, particularly since it involves his previous show, might be quite distressing for her as she’s currently living a more subdued life and concentrating on her new role.

Armytage herself has subtly suggested that her personal life is tranquil, as she told The Daily Telegraph there isn’t “a lot of excitement to report” and that she enjoys living through her professional endeavors like working on The Golden Bachelor.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Seven and Armytage’s representative’s for comment. 

The separation of the couple became a hot topic in the industry, mainly due to rumors about strained relationships between Lavender’s grown-up kids and the television figure, after Armytage left Seven.

In December, Armytage made a surprising announcement that she and her equestrian businessman partner, who is 65 years old, had separated, just one day before their fourth wedding anniversary.

On New Year’s Eve in 2020, the couple exchanged wedding vows at their beautiful 40-hectare estate located in the scenic Southern Highlands of New South Wales.

Trustworthy insiders disclosed the news of their separation first to Daily Mail Australia, and later, Armytage confirmed that they parted ways in a friendly manner.

With the ongoing finale of FWAW approaching, Channel Seven has revealed that the popular dating series will return to our television screens in 2026. They’ve now opened up application processes for interested participants.

Last month, the network announced thrilling news on social platforms, encouraging unattached farmers nationwide to register online for a shot at discovering romance.

Producers have announced that they are actively seeking ‘unmarried farmers’ to feature in the upcoming sixteenth season of the show, which is bound to excite fans.

For the show, participants need to meet two conditions: first, they must be 21 years or older, and second, they should reveal any previous or ongoing legal charges against them.

Aspiring celebrities on this show should be prepared for filming from early October to mid-December 2025. An exciting reunion special will be filmed over a span of three days in January 2026.

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2025-06-09 10:22

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