Samantha Armytage made her first appearance on Channel Nine’s Today Show on Monday following her defection to the network from Seven.

And the veteran presenter, 48, kicked off the show by sharing a flirty exchange with her co-host Dan Anstey.

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.

Samantha Armytage made her first appearance on Channel Nine’s Today Show on Monday following her defection to the network

Following her appearance on the show, unimpressed fans flocked to social media to call for Sam to be removed as summer fill-in host.

‘@TheTodayShow off to channel 7 for a while. Please post when Armytage moves on and we’ll come back,’ one person wrote on X.

‘Why is Sam Armytage on Ch9’s brekky show? And why can’t the media give a go to literally anyone except a few. Is Kochie getting a new plum job too?’ another said.

‘Sam Armytage on NOPE!’ a third agreed.

‘I moved from 7 to 9 because of Sam Armytage, so what do you go and do? Let us know when she’s moved on and I’ll start watching again,’ another commented.

Despite some backlash from viewers, others expressed their excitement to see Sam hosting the breakfast program.

‘It’s great to see Sam Armytage back on the TV sets as she is co-hosting summer series of #9Today,’ one wrote.

‘@sam_armytage looking stunning today can she stay permanently,’ another agreed, while one added: ‘Loved it.’

The veteran presenter, 48, kicked off the show by sharing a flirty exchange with her co-host Dan Anstey

Channel Nine was reportedly plunged into back-to-back crisis meetings following the decision to bring Samantha onto the Today show as a summer fill-in co-host.

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 Samantha’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.’

Unimpressed fans flocked to social media to call for Sam to be removed from the show following her debut as summer fill-in host

Channel Nine was reportedly plunged into back-to-back crisis meetings following the decision to bring Samantha onto the Today show as a summer fill-in co-host 

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 Samantha’s signing, particularly after she was chosen to host The Golden Bachelor, despite others at the network vying for the role. 

‘There is no harder slap-down than to put your hand up for hosting The Golden Bachelor and virtually be told you’ve got the gig, only to then read in the newspapers that Sam is their surprise pick,’ the insider claimed. 

The tension reportedly extends to Today’s regular hosts.

Sarah Abo, 39, was allegedly upset earlier this year when she learned Samantha was being considered as her temporary replacement during a leave period.

That plan was shelved after Sarah pushed back, with Nine opting for Sylvia Jeffreys as a ‘safer option.’

This time, however, Sarah appears to have accepted the decision, though insiders claim it hasn’t been easy. 

‘If Sam wants it that much, she can have it,’ a colleague reportedly said, adding that Sarah is resigned to the fact that Sam is being given prime opportunities at the network. 

Channel Nine and Samantha Armytage have been approached for comment. 

Sam’s move to the network comes after she recently shocked fans when she and husband Richard Lavender split just weeks before their fourth anniversary  

Samantha’s move to the network comes after she shocked fans when she and husband Richard split just weeks before their fourth anniversary.

Their separation was planned to be leaked to a Sydney newspaper, but sources confirmed the news to Daily Mail Australia in advance.

‘Yes Richard and I have separated. All breakups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other,’ Armytage then told media.

‘I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won’t be making any further comment.’

While the news just emerged publicly, it is understood Armytage’s television presenter friends have been comforting the star behind the scenes for some time.

Samantha is no longer followed on Instagram by Richard’s two daughters, Sascha and Grace, although the former couple still follow each other.

She started dating Richard in April 2019, and they announced their engagement in June 2020, before tying the knot at his property in rural NSW six months later.