Nat EXPLOSIVE & Sam’s SHOWDOWN!
It’s game on for the rival brekkie stars
It’s the shock announcement no one saw coming, least of all Sunrise host Natalie Barr! In the plum presenting role for barely a year, it’s little wonder the 53-year-old veteran was rocked to the core after it was confirmed her old nemesis Samantha Armytage has re-signed with the Seven network, just months after her sudden exit from the show.
And according to one well-informed insider, Nat is not happy.
“That’s an understatement! She’s furious, and initially saw the decision as a cruel blow,” the insider tells Woman’s Day. “Nat has arguably every reason to be upset, especially after Sam’s bold claims just weeks before she left her post that her profession is ‘full of sociopaths and narcissists’. That should’ve been career suicide, but instead, Nat, along with other colleagues, are worried that by allowing her back they’re sending the wrong message.”
CRISIS MEETINGS
The last straw for Nat, according to the source, came in June this year when Sam took to social media, tweeting, “Look... I’m out. Nat’s wanted the job, forever... & she’s finally got it,” adding, “She just needs to get on & enjoy it – & forget about me...”
“Imagine how Nat feels? Thankfully, after a series of back-to-back crisis meetings, senior management have assured Nat she’s got nothing to worry about,” says the insider.
“She now understands what their intentions are – for now, they’re delaying Sam signing up with a rival network. They could be concerned what Sam could do off the back of Lisa Wilkinson’s brutal tell-all.”
Eight months after walking away from her lucrative contract, Sam’s bombshell announcement last week sent shockwaves through the industry, with many believing she has unfinished business.
“Seven are still paying her in full until her current contract is up at the end of the year.
‘As gutted as she is, Nat won’t be steamrolled out of the job’
They’ve come up with this cameo role on Farmer Wants A Wife. She’s also negotiated a role in the 2022 horseracing telecasts – considering new husband Richard [Lavender]