I can’t tell if this is going to be reality TV hell or gold, but there’s a rumour Farmer Wants A Wife (FWAW) 2026 will feature none other than the ex-husband of former host, Samantha Armytage. Talk about a switcheroo.
According to an insider, Channel Seven is hoping to compete with Channel Nine’s incoming Golden Bachelor by bringing in an older farmer to restore FWAW‘s wholesome image after this year’s clusterfuck — which included a lot of on and off-screen drama.
They claim that the network is “determined” to get Lavender on for the ride! Super scandalous if legit!
“Production doesn’t want the format becoming stale, and they’re desperate to give the show a fresh new look and format in a bid to rival its growing competitors,” the insider dished to New Idea.
“Channel Seven is determined to convince former Farmer host Samantha Armytage’s ex-husband Richard Lavender to front a Golden Farmer series.
“While Richard has always avoided headlines and fame, he is a successful equestrian businessman and he owns a lavish 40-hectare property in the NSW Southern Highlands.”
Southern Highlands? Literally, where everyone gets married nowadays. He’s perfect!!! However, if the bloke chooses to jump on, his decision would definitely burn Sam, who confirmed their breakup back in December 2024.
“Sam wouldn’t love the idea of Richard being involved in Farmer, in fact she would probably see it as a bit of an insult, but she is the one that had him pose for magazine covers and put his name in the spotlight, he’s of interest because of his high profile marriage and seperation to Sam,” the insider continued.
Why did Samantha Armytage leave Farmer Wants A Wife?
After hosting what’s been tipped as Australia’s most successful matchmaking show, Samantha announced that she would be leaving Seven after declining to renew her contract with the network back in August 2024.
“It’s a little sad and it’s bittersweet, but the time has come. I leave with lots of goodwill in my heart and excitement about the future,” the presenter told The Daily Telegraph at the time.
“I’m big on instinct. I listen to my instinct. I know when the time comes. I am proud of the fact that I back myself enough to say, ‘I’ve done what I can do here’ and I move on.
“This is not the end. It’s just the end of this chapter.”
She also added that the decision to leave was made “on [her] own” and that she wanted to reprioritise her life.
“I came to this decision on my own, it’s about what I want to do with my life,” she continued.
“[Richard Lavender] is very supportive of whatever I do, but this was about me wanting to feel fulfilled,” she said at the time.
“I had to sit with myself here and ask, ‘What does my next 5 to 10 years look like?’.”
Despite revealing the reason why she was leaving the network, an insider claimed it was due to a salary cut.
“Sam was still on breakfast TV money from an old contract, and that’s just not what you get paid to host one reality show these days,” an insider told Woman’s Day, Daily Mail Australia reported.
“She was asking for what Sonia [Kruger] gets paid for three shows. It wasn’t going to happen. Seven just didn’t have the money.”
Ahead of the show’s 2025 season, FWAW announced that Natalie Gruzlewski would be returning to host the shebang, with many fans welcoming her return.
Farmer Wants A Wife airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 7.30pm on Channel Seven and 7plus.
The post Insider Claims Samantha Armytage’s Ex-Husband Is Tipped To Join Farmer Wants A Wife 2026 appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
