Viewers have called for Today show guest hosts Samantha Armytage and Dan Anstey to permanently replace veteran presenters Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo.
The pair have been filling in for Karl and Sarah on the popular Channel Nine breakfast show as the regular hosts enjoy their holidays – and viewers have called for their position to become permanent.
Fans took to social media to praise Sam and Dan’s upbeat and engaging style – and claimed the show would be better if they became permanent presenters.
‘Sam is great. I’m watching Today again after a long pause,’ one fan wrote.
‘Dan yes! Karl no! Sorry Karl,’ a second person added.
‘The girls are fantastic! Today’s back!’ a third user chipped in.
Fans have called for Today show guest hosts Samantha Armytage (right) and Dan Anstey (left) to permanently replace presenters Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo
It was no surprise that Samantha was a natural as she is a breakfast show veteran, having previously co-hosted Channel Seven’s Sunrise opposite David ‘Kochie’ Koch for eight years from 2013 – 2021.
On Monday, Sam made her first appearance on Channel Nine’s Today Show following her defection from Seven.
The veteran presenter, 48, kicked off the show by sharing a flirty exchange with her co-host Dan.
After introducing herself to viewers, Sam – who recently announced her split from husband Richard Lavender – told Dan she had first met him at the Melbourne Cup.
‘I can’t remember that. How was I?’ he asked.
‘You were handsome as always,’ a giggling Sam responded, before Dan said: ‘That was someone else. You confused me with another Dan.’
‘Yeah I have actually. We’ll get to that later on but it’s lovely to see you all here,’ Sam quickly responded before she introduced the news headlines.
Channel Nine was reportedly plunged into back-to-back crisis meetings following the decision to bring Sam onto the Today show as a summer fill-in co-host.
The pair have been filling in for Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo on the popular Channel Nine breakfast show as the regular hosts enjoy their holidays – and viewers have called for their position to become permanent. Both pictured
Viewers have taken to social media to praise Sam and Dan’s upbeat and engaging style – and claim the show would be better if they became permanent presenters
The network’s move has also sparked outrage among long-time staff, with insiders alleging the decision has created tension behind the scenes and left many feeling snubbed.
While Nine insists the move is purely seasonal, speculation is rife that it could be a trial run to see if Samantha is the right fit to join Today permanently.
The fall-out from the decision has been significant.
‘There have been crisis meetings back-to-back since Sam was signed,’ a source told Woman’s Day earlier this month.
‘The big bosses did not listen to the team when they objected to Sam coming on board.’
Meanwhile, a well-placed source tells Daily Mail Australia that Nine has a strategic reasoning behind Sam’s appointment.
‘Let’s not pretend this isn’t about ratings,’ they said.
‘If Sam manages to pull Today out of the shadow of Sunrise, even for a week, the network will see it as a win. For Sam, it’s about proving she’s still the queen of breakfast TV.’
One major source of resentment at her new network is the perception that Nine’s existing talent has been overlooked.
Many insiders were reportedly blindsided by Sam’s signing, particularly after she was chosen to host The Golden Bachelor, despite others at the network vying for the role.