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"Frankly, it's pathetic": The Project hosts lash out at wombat snatcher

<p>The hosts of <em>The Project</em> have lashed out at US hunting influencer Sam Jones after she pulled out of a scheduled interview at the last minute.</p> <p>Jones, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/wombatgate-explodes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">who sparked outrage</a> by snatching a baby wombat from its mother and sharing a video of the incident with her 92,000 Instagram followers, has faced further condemnation for her recent actions.</p> <p>Jones was set to appear on <em>The Project</em> on Sunday night to answer tough questions from the panel but instead opted to provide a pre-recorded video statement. The decision did not sit well with host Hamish Macdonald, who described it as "pathetic".</p> <p><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/outrage-should-not-be-selective-wombat-snatcher-speaks-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In her video message</a>, Jones apologised for her actions but also took aim at the Australian government for allowing farmers to kill wombats. "It was an incredible mistake, and there hasn't been a moment I haven't regretted it," she stated. However, she then shifted the blame, saying, "The same government that is calling for my head is the one that spends millions of your tax dollars to mass slaughter native Australian animals."</p> <p>Jones later posted a statement on Instagram about the controversy. Addressing the audience, Hamish Macdonald said, "I think we probably just need to be totally straight and honest with you at home, we were all here earlier this afternoon to do an interview with her and ask her questions, but she pulled out of that and instead provided that video statement. I think, frankly, it's pathetic, given what's happened."</p> <p>He continued, "Obviously, no one condones violence or threats of violence or any of the things that have been thrown her way, but honestly, to say you're 'genuinely sorry' but not be willing to explain yourself, and then point the finger at the Australian government – I think it's pretty lousy."</p> <p>Co-host Sarah Harris then chimed in, saying, "I think the infuriating stuff came in her apology afterwards, where she said, 'Oh you know, the Australian government allows the slaughter of wombats.' It's just not true. We know that wombats are protected here."</p> <p>Harris pointed out that offenders harming a wombat could face fines of up to $40,000 and two years in prison. Macdonald then doubled down on his criticism, calling Jones' statement "riddled with misinformation". He added, "This is typical of influencers. They only want to make their own statements to the world, with no responsibility or accountability. The reality is, there's been a strong public response because Australians are proud of their wildlife and the incredible nature that we have."</p> <p>Following Jones' decision to cancel her interview, viewers of <em>The Project</em> quickly took to social media to voice their disapproval. One Facebook user wrote, "Sounds like, 'Sorry, not sorry'." Another commented, "She is only sorry she got caught," while a third remarked, "Typical American turning this whole wombat episode into an Australian political error. She needs to get her FACTS straight."</p> <p>Jones has yet to respond to the fresh wave of criticism, but the backlash against her actions and response shows no signs of dying down.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram / The Project</em></p>

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"Outrage should not be selective": Wombat snatcher speaks out

<p>After Sam Jones, the US tourist and influencer with a penchant for questionable decision-making, managed to unite Australians in collective outrage by <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/wombatgate-explodes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">snatching up a baby wombat</a> and posting it to Instagram, she <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">has since fled the country and is now broadcasting her redemption arc from an undisclosed overseas location. </span></p> <p>“I will learn from this moment, and move forward. I accept accountability for my own actions, yet refuse to be used as a scapegoat for a far greater, far more uncomfortable reality,” she said in a video statement. </p> <p>And to be honest, she may have a point. While Australians were busy sharpening their pitchforks, Jones decided to flip the script. But instead of doubling down on her wombat-related blunder, she’s turning the outrage into a broader conversation about Australia’s wildlife management.</p> <p>“If this situation has proven anything, it’s that Australians care deeply about their wildlife – and that is something I intensely admire,” she said, presumably while updating her LinkedIn profile to include “Wombat Awareness Advocate”.</p> <p>Jones highlighted that in 2023 alone, over 1.2 million native animals were legally culled in Australia, including 3,558 wombats, 580,695 native birds, and 419,120 kangaroos and wallabies. Suddenly, her temporary wombat custody battle seems downright insignificant.</p> <p>And she’s not wrong - Australia’s track record with wildlife is complicated. We have a long history of government-sanctioned animal culls, from the infamous emu war (which the emus won, by the way) to the more recent permits allowing landowners to eliminate endangered species deemed inconvenient. Five years ago, a South Australian landholder was granted permission to kill 200 rare hairy-nosed wombats before having a change of heart. Meanwhile, New South Wales’ most crucial population of koalas is being displaced by development, and even Tasmania’s black swans aren’t safe from culling laws.</p> <p>“Consider applying the same momentum used to condemn me toward examining the laws that allow for the legal slaughter of the very species and wombats people so deeply wish to protect,” Jones urged. “Outrage should not be selective.”</p> <p>Again, she has a point. Outrage shouldn’t be selective – though, ideally, neither should common sense. So while Sam Jones may have momentarily confused a wombat for a TikTok prop, she’s also inadvertently shone a light on a bigger issue. Whether we are willing to pivot our anger from one rogue tourist to an entire government policy, however, remains to be seen.</p> <p>One thing is certain: that baby wombat will grow up with an incredible story to tell.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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WombatGate explodes!

<p>Australia’s latest national outrage comes courtesy of Sam Jones, an American hunting influencer and self-proclaimed wildlife biologist, who has managed to do the impossible: unite an entire country in their collective disdain.</p> <p>Jones, whose credentials in “wildlife biology” appear to include snatching baby animals and boasting about it online, has triggered a full-scale diplomatic crisis after gleefully abducting a baby wombat and uploading her crime to Instagram.</p> <p>The now-infamous 34-second video, which has since been deleted (presumably after Jones realised that we take or wildlife more seriously than our politicians), shows her sprinting back to a vehicle, baby wombat in hand, while her Aussie colleague laughs and films. Meanwhile, in a tragic cameo, the mother wombat can be seen pursuing her offspring with the determination of an underpaid retail worker chasing down a shoplifter.</p> <p>Minister for Immigration Tony Burke wasted no time in weighing in on the scandal, stating that his department is now reviewing whether Jones has violated Australian immigration laws.</p> <p>“Either way, given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I’ll be surprised if she even bothers,” he remarked, adding, “I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual. I don’t expect she will return.”</p> <p>A Change.org petition to permanently ban Jones from re-entering the country has already gathered over 10,000 signatures, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also joined the fray, taking a moment from his busy schedule to issue a rather novel suggestion to Jones:</p> <p>“I suggest to this so-called influencer maybe she might try some other Australian animals,” he said. "Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there. Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother. See how you go there.”</p> <p>As the backlash intensifies, even Americans are scrambling to disown their rogue citizen. Social media has been flooded with messages from US users hastily clarifying that they, too, find Jones’ behaviour reprehensible. “I’m American, and I say kick her out,” wrote one X user.</p> <p>Meanwhile, medical experts have pointed out that the stolen wombat and its mother appear to be suffering from sarcoptic mange, a disease that can be transferred to humans as scabies. This has prompted some to suggest that Jones may have, quite literally, scammed herself.</p> <p>As the dust settles on this debacle, one thing is clear: we as Australians do not take kindly to wombat theft. While Jones may have thought she was creating engaging social media content, she instead succeeded in getting herself blacklisted from an entire continent.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Sam Kerr speaks out after jury delivers verdict

<p>Sam Kerr has been found not guilty on charges of racially-aggravated harassment in a London court after a days-long <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/sam-kerr-s-defence-in-harassment-trial-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trial</a> into the 2023 incident.</p> <p>After the judge delivered the not guilty verdict and missed the court, Kerr told the dock officer “hope to never see you again”.</p> <p>While Kerr chose not to address those waiting outside the courtroom, she soon issued a statement on social media. </p> <p>“Following today’s not guilty verdict, I can finally put this challenging period behind me,” she wrote on her Instagram story. </p> <p>“While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed."</p> <p>“I would like to thank my partner Kristie, my family, friends and all the fans for their love and support, especially those who attended court each day."</p> <p>“I am fully focused on getting back on to the pitch and look forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family.”</p> <p>The Metropolitan Police also released a statement about the verdict, saying, “Our officers perform a challenging job and are often subjected to various forms of abuse as they discharge their duty."</p> <p>"We will continue to support all officers involved in this incident The matter was fully investigated with evidence presented to the Crown Prosecution Service who made the decision to charge."</p> <p>“A jury has found Kerr not guilty and we respect their verdict.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

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Matildas greats defend Sam Kerr

<p>Former Matildas co-captain Kate Gill and national women's team great Joey Peters have both lept to Sam Kerr's defence, amid the soccer star's <a href="https://o60.me/rtlyu9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trial</a> for the charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.</p> <p>While Kerr has admitted she felt "embarrassed" after watching footage from the incident that occured on January 30 2023, she denied that she was “drunk and kicking off” in the back of the taxi</p> <p>Football Australia will wait until the trial's complete to make a call on whether Kerr will be stripped from her role as the Matildas captain. </p> <p>However, Gill and Peters have both defended Kerr, saying that she should "definitely" retain the armband. </p> <p>"She’s the first person to acknowledge if she’s done something wrong and made a mistake," Gill said, as she hailed Kerr for being an "exceptional human being". </p> <p>Gill led the Matildas between 2013 and 2014, making 86 appearances for Australia, returning 41 international goals. </p> <p>"She’s got morals about her, so it’s hard to question her from that kind of area."</p> <p>“It’s hard for us to all sit in judgment when we don’t have access to the full facts and understand what happened and how Sam was made to feel in that moment,” she said.</p> <p>“There should be no reason why she shouldn’t captain her country.</p> <p>“She wears her heart on her sleeve, she loves playing for her country, she loves captaining her country, and she’s given her some very inspirational and fantastic sporting moments.</p> <p>“We shouldn’t forget that.”</p> <p>Former Matildas star Joey Peters, who won 110 caps for Australia between 1996 and 2009 also backed Kerr. </p> <p>"I just have full admiration for Sam Kerr and what she’s done throughout our game," she said. </p> <p>"What we’re hearing about the case, I don’t think it takes away anything from the quality person that she is." </p> <p>"She has disrupted the world of football, and we can’t expect her to be quiet and sit back and be a ‘nicey-nicey girl’ because she’s not that at all on the pitch. She’s lethal, so for her to stick up for herself off the field, for me personally, I 100 per cent back her." </p> <p>Kerr captained Australia to fourth place at the Olympic Games in 2020. She has made 128 appearances for Australia since 2009 and has returned 69 goals. </p> <p>“I can’t imagine the pressure that she’s under with her public profile. She’s in this pressure cooker and delivered so much for our game and continues to do that, and we should hold her in the highest regard whatever happens, because we all make mistakes as humans," Peters added. </p> <p>“In Sam Kerr’s case, she’s an absolute champion of our game and should be treated as that in her home country for sure.</p> <p>“It’s not that I don’t care what she’s (allegedly) done, but in this particular instance, we’ve got to protect her and cheer her on.”</p> <p><em>Image: Kim Price/CSM/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

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Sam Kerr's partner takes the stand in harassment trial

<p>Sam Kerr's fiancé has given evidence in support of her partner during a <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/sam-kerr-s-defence-in-harassment-trial-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">harassment trial</a> in London, as the "deeply offensive" insult Kerr threw at a taxi driver was revealed. </p> <p>The Matildas striker has been accused of calling UK police officer Stephen Lovell “stupid and white” as he attempted to defuse a dispute over a taxi fare in southwest London on January 30th 2023.</p> <p>The all-time leading Australian international scorer has pleaded not guilty to the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.</p> <p>It has been alleged that the incident began when Kerr and Mewis had been out drinking when they were picked up by a taxi who refused to take them home, instead driving them to Twickenham Police Station after one of them was sick. </p> <p>The taxi driver alleged that the women refused to pay a clean up cost and smashed the vehicle's rear window, as Kerr previously stated that the couple thought they were being kidnapped. </p> <p>Speaking from the witness stand on Thursday, Mewis, who is expecting a baby with Kerr, broke down in tears as she recalled, “It was like nothing I’ve experienced. I’ve never driven a car that fast before. I immediately felt fear for my life.</p> <p>“I felt out of control and like someone else had control over me and that was obviously very scary... I didn’t know if it was a kidnapping or if we were going to crash."</p> <p>“All of the horrible things you think about in your head; I didn’t know if that was going to happen.”</p> <p>During cross-examination, prosecutors asked Mewis if she knew the taxi driver had claimed he was taking the pair to Twickenham Police Station after phoning emergency services about them.</p> <p>She responded “no” and added: “I don’t know why you would drive that recklessly if you were taking us to a police station ... why was he driving crazy? I don’t understand that part.”</p> <p>During the fourth day of the trial, Kerr was asked by prosecutor William Emlyn Jones if she was “someone who uses a lot of bad language or swears a lot?”</p> <p>Kerr said “no” but was then asked if she remembered referring to the taxi driver as a “dodgy c***”.</p> <p>“That’s a deeply abusive term, isn’t it?” the prosecutor said, to which Kerr responded, “ Yes, you could say so.”</p> <p>Kerr previously said the pair were “trapped” in the back of the taxi and that they had tried to open the doors and windows multiple times but they remained locked.</p> <p>She also claimed “Everything was going through my mind about being in a car with a stranger I deemed to be dangerous. There was no reasoning with him. It was his way or nothing.”</p> <p>Kerr's defence counsel then asked Mewis about how they were treated when they arrived at the police station, as she recalled “PC Lovell was immediately dismissive. He wasn’t believing what we were saying."</p> <p>“We were saying we had been taken against our will, we couldn’t get out and (the driver) was driving like crazy ... he was dismissive in a way in which he didn’t want it to be true."</p> <div> </div> <p>“In my opinion, (the police) were trying to change the story and make it into something it wasn’t."</p> <p>“It felt a little bit like gaslighting ... the story (they) repeated back was different or they were manipulating it back onto us.”</p> <p>The West Ham midfielder also said Kerr was “speaking her truth” when she called a police officer “stupid and white”, to which she clarified, “I think that in her moment she was speaking her truth in how she was feeling. Subconsciously she felt that she was being treated differently. I’ve seen Sam be treated differently.”</p> <p>Asked if she noticed a difference between the way police treated her and Kerr, Mewis said: “Yes. PC Lovell was more snide and shorter with Sam. He didn’t believe what she was saying and (was) dismissive with her.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: SplashNews.com/ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

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Sam Newman controversy explodes

<p>Sam Newman and 'neo-Nazi' Blair Cottrell have come to blows online in the wake of fierce backlash over a controversial podcast. </p> <p>Newman found himself under heavy scrutiny on Monday after sharing a photo with two men -  Thomas Sewell and Blair Cottrell - in <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/sam-newman-photo-sparks-immediate-backlash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promotion</a> of the latest episode of his <em>You Cannot Be Serious</em> podcast. </p> <p>Part one of the episode was released on Tuesday, which saw Newman quickly turn on Cottrell online. </p> <p>Newman elaborates how he had sought out Sewell for a conversation but notes Cottrell had “accompanied him” and that he “wasn’t invited”.</p> <p>“I interviewed two people I thought were of interest because I had never heard of them until the media kept showing them coming out of court and putting them in the paper,” Newman said.</p> <p>“I reached out to one of them, I reached out to a bloke called Thomas Sewell and I said ‘would you like to come in and be interviewed?’. A man accompanied him called Blair Cottrell who wasn’t invited, he was an interloper."</p> <p>“He sat where you are Ivan and he turned out to be a turd, he turned out to be an opportunist. He posted today that maybe the Foss was one of us all along or something like that."</p> <p>“Blair is a scumbag. He is a 24-carat gold scumbag."</p> <p>“As I said he wasn’t invited and he thought he is a star f***er. He thought he would link me to his cause and he’s posted pictures of me on the Footy Show and then put Nazi photos in the background trying to link me to his cause."</p> <p>“Thomas Sewell was responsible, as in he was here because I asked him to be here."</p> <p>“Cottrell turned up and in his pissy little world that he lives in, his diminutive pissy little world where he can’t make it on his own he tries to link people with stronger juices. He’s a parasite. So that’s him."</p> <p>“I have plenty of people who are friends of mine who are Jewish and many who are Muslim, I do not have any friends who are Nazis or neo-Nazis. None.”</p> <p>The remarks from Newman didn’t sit well with Cottrell who took to social media to share his side of the story. </p> <p>He explained that he drove Sewell to the podcast studio, and after meeting Newman, he was invited to sit in on the recording and chime in to the conversation. </p> <p>“Now Sam is apparently declaring me an uninvited interloper and that I somehow took advantage of him," Cottrell wrote. </p> <p>“If Sam wants to play it safe in the future, he should stick to platforming drug dealers, prostitutors and murderers, he won’t cop any flak for that because these characters are no serious threat to the establishment. You wanted controversy Sam, and you got it.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / X (Twitter) </em></p>

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Sam Newman photo sparks immediate backlash

<p>Sam Newman has come under fire for promoting a new episode of his podcast that features two prominent 'neo Nazis' as guests.</p> <p>The AFL legend, who hosts the <em>You Cannot Be Serious</em> podcast, made headlines after posting a photo of himself with Blair Cottrell and Thomas Sewell to promote the latest episode. </p> <p>“Today Thomas Sewell and I had a chat with footy icon Sam Newman. Keep an out for the podcast!” Cottrell captioned the photo of the trio.</p> <p>Cottrell was the first ever Australian to be charged with hate speech after he was convicted in September 2017, and Sewell was listed as one of more than a dozen alleged neo-Nazis following a protest in Adelaide on January 26th.</p> <p>Cottrell, who is the United Patriots Front leader, was convicted alongside two of his supporters for inciting hatred, contempt and ridicule of Muslims after making a video beheading a dummy in protest of a Bendigo mosque.</p> <p>Sewell is the Victorian-based leader of the National Socialist Network (NSN), who has railed against “corrupt police” and an “anti-white government” in an online fundraiser which he hopes will allow him to “transition into a full-time role”.</p> <p>While the episode of Newman's podcast doesn't air until Wednesday, the photo was enough to welcome a wave of scrutiny towards Newman. </p> <p>CODE Sports’ chief cricket writer Daniel Cherny asked on X if the promotion of two prominent neo-Nazis was “enough to be booted out of the Australian Football Hall of Fame?”</p> <p>Hundreds of fans agreed, with many taking to social media to ask how the AFL, and Newman's former club the Geelong Cats, would respond to the men being given a platform. </p> <p>One person wrote: “I’m wondering if consorting with out and proud Nazis is enough of a blot on your copybook to be removed from the AFL Hall of Fame? What do you reckon, AFL? How about you, Geelong Cats?”</p> <p>Hours after the image of the trio was posted, Newman took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue a statement claiming he had been asked to not publish the episode, which he has denied. </p> <p>“I interviewed Thomas Sewell and Blair Cottrell … neo-Nazis on <em>You Cannot Be Serious</em> podcast,” Newman said.</p> <p>“I haven’t posted it yet but I was asked by a journalist because Blair Cottrell posted a picture of him and me and Thomas Sewell on X and I’m associated now with being a neo-Nazi."</p> <p>“I replied to the journalist who said is it appropriate to put this on and chat about who they are and I said I by no means condone what they’re on but I thought they’re people of interest and I’m going to put it to air."</p> <p>“If you think I’m a Nazi, so be it. Why don’t you have a look at what they say and what I ask them and you make your mind up.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: X (Twitter)</em></p>

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Sam Kerr's defence in harassment trial revealed

<p>Sam Kerr has appeared in a London court for the first day of her racial harassment trial. </p> <p>The Matildas striker has been accused of calling a police officer “stupid and white” as he attempted to defuse a dispute over a taxi fare in southwest London on January 30th 2023.</p> <p>The all-time leading Australian international scorer has pleaded not guilty to the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.</p> <p>In court on Monday it was claimed that Kerr and her partner, fellow footballer Kristie Mewis, believed they were being kidnapped when the taxi they were travelling in diverted off route during a dispute over the fare.</p> <p>Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones told jurors that the women had been on a night out and were travelling home in the taxi when Kerr was allegedly sick. </p> <p>The pair and the taxi driver then engaged in an argument over a cleaning fee of the vehicle, which caused the driver to divert the trip to Twickenham Police Station. </p> <p>When the pair realised they were no longer heading to Kerr's house, Mewis kicked out the rear window fearing she was being kidnapped.</p> <p>“The cabbie ended up phoning the police to complain about their behaviour, reporting that they were trying to smash a window,” Emlyn Jones said.</p> <p>In footage from a police body-worn camera, the pair were visibly shaken on arrival at the station and Kerr said they were “both very afraid” and they “were begging to get out of there.”</p> <p>Prosecutors said Kerr then allegedly became verbally abusive towards police officer Stephen Lovell, and insulted him “by reference to his ethnicity” when he recalled the driver’s version of events.</p> <p>“You guys are stupid and white. You guys are f****** stupid and white,” Kerr said. “I’m looking you in the eyes, you guys are f****** stupid. I’m f****** over this shit.”</p> <p>Emlyn Jones said there was no dispute over what was said, instead, jurors must decide what she meant and how it made Lovell feel.</p> <p>Kerr’s lawyer Grace Forbes said, “When you look past the headline, and you look at the evidence, Samantha Kerr did not feel hostile towards the officer because he is white”.</p> <p>“The words were a comment – however poorly expressed – about positions of power, about privilege and about how those things might colour perception.”</p> <p>The officer told the court he felt Kerr’s behaviour was “quite abusive”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

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"He's got my vote": I'm A Celeb fans praise "kind" sporting legend

<p><em>I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!</em> viewers have praised former rugby league star Sam Thaiday for his kindness to other campmates while in jungle. </p> <p>In one clip, Thaiday was seen helping Reggie Sorenson - who emotionally shared the story of her worsening eyesight - navigate her way around the camp. </p> <p><em>I'm A Celeb</em>'s social accounts shared the clip of Sam guiding Reggie up a set of stairs towards the bathroom and making sure there were no spiders in the toilet, before Reggie told the cameras, "He is really my guide dog in here."</p> <p>The show wrote alongside the video, "The world needs more Sam Thaidays!"</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFHyNZcMyCB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFHyNZcMyCB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by #ImACelebrityAU (@imacelebrityau)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Many viewers agreed, with one person saying, "So good to see a different side to Sam Thaiday rather than the guy on the footy field. What a nice, kind man."</p> <p>"He creates such a safe space for Reggie and is so thoughtful in all he does," another said.</p> <p>"Loving getting to know Sam," another said. "Legend on the field... Legend of a gentleman."</p> <p>"Sam's one of the nicest humans out," a third wrote. "He's like that in real life. I've met him and treated me just as nice."</p> <p>"What a true gentleman and support for Reggie!" someone else said. "He has my vote!"</p> <p>"What you see, is what you get with Sammy," yet another agreed. "A heart of gold."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Ten</em></p>

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Sam Armytage's stunning return to breakfast TV

<p>Samantha Armytage has made a stunning return to breakfast television. </p> <p>The beloved journalist made her debut as co-host of the <em>Today</em> show on Monday morning alongside <em>Weekend Today</em> weather presenter Dan Anstey. </p> <p>The pair took over the reins from <em>Weekend Today</em> hosts David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys who were filling in for Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo. </p> <p>This is the first time Armytage has appeared on morning TV, since she last co-hosted Seven’s rival breakfast show <em>Sunrise </em>with David Koch from 2013 to 2021.</p> <p>“I’ve remembered where I am, on channel Nine. Isn’t it lovely to be on channel Nine?” she asked, addressing the elephant in the room, before saying, "Hi guys, good morning, it's nice to be here and nice to look at this new team."</p> <p>“Well, we met at Melbourne Cup, didn’t we? You were handsome as always,” she told co-host Anstey, who jokingly replied: "I can't remember that now." </p> <p>"You may have confused me with another Dan."</p> <p>Armytage, who started her TV career on Nine, was recently welcomed back as host of the new dating program, <em>The Golden Bachelor</em>, which will premiere next year. </p> <p>Her appearance on the breakfast TV show comes after a dramatic development in her personal life, following news of her<a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/the-reason-behind-sam-armytage-s-shock-split-from-husband" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> split from husband</a> Richard Lavender after four years together. </p> <p><em>Images: Today</em></p>

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The reason behind Sam Armytage’s shock split from husband

<p dir="ltr">New details have emerged over the possible reason behind Sam Armytage’s shock <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/breakups-are-hard-sam-armytage-announces-shock-split-from-husband">split</a> from her husband. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former <em>Sunrise</em> host announced her separation from husband Richard Lavender on Friday, telling <em>The Daily Telegraph</em>, "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."</p> <p dir="ltr">Samantha and Richard began dating in April 2019 and announced their engagement in June 2020, getting married just a few months later on New Year’s Eve 2020. </p> <p dir="ltr">The news of their split comes just weeks before what would’ve been their fourth wedding anniversary. </p> <p dir="ltr">While news of the split came as a shock to most people last week, an insider told <em><a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/twist-in-samantha-armytages-shock-split-from-husband-richard-lavender-013315451.html">Yahoo Lifestyle</a></em> the break-up has apparently been widely speculated within the TV industry for months now thanks to one telling clue.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the source, Armytage’s move from Channel Seven to the Nine Network - ahead of her upcoming hosting gig of <em>The Golden Bachelor</em> - was a major hint that something was not right in the couple’s relationship. </p> <p dir="ltr"> "As soon as Sam announced she was leaving Seven for Nine and making a big TV comeback, we all started suspecting something had happened as her main reason for initially quitting Sunrise was to be with him and settle down away from the industry," the source claimed. </p> <p dir="ltr">After the split was confirmed, many began speculating on the reason behind their separation, and while some publications claimed that tension between Armytage and Lavender's daughters was the reason, nothing has been confirmed. </p> <p dir="ltr">The insider tells <em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em>, "Sam’s been keeping the details pretty quiet but the impression everyone gets is she just wasn’t ready to retire and give everything up yet, which is more likely to have caused tensions as Rich is notoriously private."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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"Breakups are hard": Sam Armytage announces shock split from husband

<p>Samantha Armytage has made the shock announcement that her and her husband Richard Lavender have separated. </p> <p>According to reports from <em><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fentertainment%2Fsamantha-armytage-confirms-split-with-husband-richard-lavender%2Fnews-story%2F72dbdc875cc3d81eaf9f2e3d521ff62f&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=HIGH-Segment-1-SCORE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a></em>, the couple allegedly split up months ago, with the TV host moving out of Richard's Southern Highlands home and returning to Sydney. </p> <p>"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," she told the publication.</p> <p>"I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won’t be making any further comment."</p> <p>While there has been no official statement on the reason behind their split, <em>news.com.au</em> claim their separation was due to tensions between Sam and Richard's adult daughters.</p> <p>Samantha and Richard began dating in April 2019 and announced their engagement in June 2020, with the presenter revealing on <em>Sunrise</em> how he popped the question.</p> <p>"We’d been picking weeds in the paddock and he said ‘darling, do you want to marry me?" she said. "It was very sweet, very romantic."</p> <p>"He’s just a very, charming, lovely fellow. He is totally the opposite of the showbiz world and TV."</p> <p>They planned their wedding in just three days, with Sam revealing on <em>Sunrise</em>, "Three days before we decided we'd do it for New Year's Eve."</p> <p>"It was nice, there was 12 of us there, we organised it in three days and it was fun."</p> <p>This New Year's Eve would've marked their fourth wedding anniversary. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

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"It’s disgusting": Sam Kerr's baby announcement ruined by trolls

<p>The Matildas captain Sam Kerr and her fiancée Kristie Mewis have announced they are pregnant with their first child, but their news was sadly met with homophobic comments from online trolls. </p> <p>The football power couple took to Instagram to announce the news with a photo of them holding ultrasound photos. </p> <p>“Mewis-Kerr baby coming 2025!” the post read.</p> <p>While Kerr's teammates Mary Fowler, Teagan Micah, Kyah Simon and Lydia Williams congratulated the couple, they had to turn off their comments following online trolls making "disgusting" homophobic comments across social media. </p> <p>The trolls' behaviour has been condemned by sports commentators, fans and pride groups alike. </p> <p>“Extremely disappointing to see even the slightest negative reaction to Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis’s fantastic news," BBC sport commentator Tom Overend  began. </p> <p>“Couples are free to do what they choose, and you can be a good parent whatever your gender, creed, colour or anything.</p> <p>“We are in 2024 folks.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCgei0SshxO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCgei0SshxO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sam Kerr (@samanthakerr20)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>David Shaw, a Manchester United fan, posted: “I can’t believe some of the comments I’ve seen about Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis news.</p> <p>“Seen one saying how’s that legal and called it bulls***. Seen others say Sam’s not the parent others more interested in who the father is and how much they paid him. Quite frankly it’s disgusting”.</p> <p>Over the weekend,  the Women’s Super League launched a “Rainbow Laces” campaign, promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives. </p> <p>Women’s football commentator Paul Wheeler wrote: "'Homophobia isn’t a thing in women’s football' - Also women’s football, Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis announce they’re having a baby and comments are full of “fans” spouting the worst kind of homophobic crap on Rainbow Laces weekend”.</p> <p>Chelsea Pride, an LGBTQ+ support group for Chelsea fans also said: “Homophobia has no place in football, at Chelsea, or in our society." </p> <p>“It’s heartbreaking and infuriating to see social media flooded with hateful comments when we should be celebrating love, pride, and unity.</p> <p>“Over the weekend and today, our club was forced to shut down comments and even delete posts, posts that should have been shining moments of joy, from the powerful symbolism of Rainbow Laces to the incredible news that Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis will welcome a child in 2025.</p> <p>“’No to Hate’ isn’t just a slogan; it’s a battle cry. It’s a reminder that we must keep fighting for what is right, for true acceptance, and for a game that embraces everyone without exception.</p> <p>“At Chelsea Pride, we stand against every act of homophobia with unwavering strength and passion. We fight for a football world where every player, fan and family can live openly and be celebrated, without fear or prejudice.</p> <p>“This is our game, our club and our unwavering commitment: Hate will never win here. We will always stand for love, unity and an inclusive future for football.”</p> <p>The couple have since turned on the comments again. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Sam Frost shares sweet family update

<p>Sam Frost has shared an exciting family update with her partner and <em>Survivor </em>star Jordie Hansen on Instagram.</p> <p>The former <em>Home and Away</em> actress announced she is expecting her second child with a picture of the family and her growing baby bump on Monday. </p> <p>“Our family is growing from three to four 💚,” she captioned the post.</p> <p>“It has been a wild ride but we are extremely grateful our little one is healthy and doing okay in there. We are all very excited to meet you, especially your big brother!</p> <p>“Huge thank you to our family and friends for all their love and support over these past few months. We love you xxxx.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB79aWkv3hk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB79aWkv3hk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sam Frost (@samfrost)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fellow TV icons were quick to comment and congratulate the couple on their growing family. </p> <p>“Congratulations honey!! ❤️❤️,” 7NEWS journalist Abbey Gelmi wrote.</p> <p>“👏👏👏congratulations!!!,” commented <em>Bachelor</em> star Anna Heinrich.</p> <p>"Such beautiful news Sam, and so very happy for you. Huge congrats.❤️❤️❤️❤️xx," added Lisa Wilkinson.</p> <p>"Oh girlllll! This is beautiful news. So happy for you all. Ted is going to be the best big brother ever 🥹 💚," added <em>Gogglebox </em>star Angie Kent.</p> <p>Frost, who rose to fame on <em>The Bachelor </em>after becoming Australia's first Bachelorette, began dating Jordie in early 2022, and a few months later the pair announced their engagement. </p> <p>They welcomed their first child together, their son Theodore, in March 2023. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Why Sam Armytage left Seven

<p>Sam Armytage has revealed the reason why she left the Seven Network after more than 20 years of working with them. </p> <p>In a candid interview with 2GB's Ben Fordham, the journalist revealed why she left the network shortly after hosting F<em>armer Wants A Wife</em>. </p> <p>“Look, I just had enough,” she said on Friday morning. </p> <p>“I’ve done it for a long time — you know what those hours are like, it is quite gruelling.”</p> <p>Armytage, who was also a presenter for the network's morning show, <em>Sunrise</em>, said she “used to get a lot of attention” from the show and it became "pretty full on". </p> <p>“I just needed a break,” she said.</p> <p>“The time was right and life had changed. I just got married, my mum had died, everything had changed and I knew the time was right.</p> <p>“I’d had enough, and you know I like a good horse metaphor — I’d ridden it to the top, I’d done all I could do and it was good time to step out.”</p> <p>The beloved presenter is not leaving the small screen anytime soon, as she is now set to host Nine's new TV show <em>The Golden Bachelor</em>. </p> <p>“This is a fresh start for me after 21 years at the old network, here I am … This new show is going to be great fun,” she said on the radio show. </p> <p>While talking about the show, she said that she has a lot of faith in its potential, saying: “It’s going to be really great fun, it’s going to be hilarious, but I also think we’ve got some space for some really poignant stories here because we are looking for people in their 50s and 60s, maybe even into their 70s who have loved before and want to love again.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Hunt for Australia's first Golden Bachelor begins

<p>While former <em>Sunrise </em>host Samantha Armytage has been confirmed to host Nine's new reality series <em>The Golden Bachelor,</em> there are still a few major roles to fill. </p> <p>The bachelor and all the women needed for the series are yet to be found, but one well-known businessman is believed to be a leading contender for the show. </p> <p>“We are looking for Australia’s first Golden Bachelor and many incredible women who want to find love again,” read the official casting website. </p> <p>Nine are looking for people aged between 60 and 75 years old who are “looking for the last great love” of their life, live in Australia and are single. </p> <p>“Do you know someone in their golden years who deserves one more shot at their happily ever after?” the casting notice read. </p> <p>According to TV Blackbox expert Steve Molk, “Mark Bouris is being touted as their guy.” </p> <p>Bouris, 68, is a podcaster for <em>Straight Talk</em> and a former host of Nine's <em>The Celebrity Apprentice</em>. </p> <p>Molk added that it's not uncommon for a network to create buzz with the announcement “in the hope it will help shake the trees for prospective applicants to flock and submit their audition”.</p> <p>Although Nine has yet to confirm their broadcast date, Molk believes that it's likely to air mid next year. </p> <p>“This gives them time to cast and film while still showing partners why they would want to drop their cash with Nine."</p> <p>Armytage said the Australian version of the show has “got a different spin”. </p> <p>“This is for people who are looking for love again, who’ve got some miles on their tyres and are ready to fall in love again,” she told Nine's <em>Today</em> on October 29. </p> <p>“These are people with life experience. There’s going to be some great stories here, some kind of sad stories in some.</p> <p>“We’re looking for a happy fairytale ending.”</p> <p><em>Image: Nine</em></p>

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Babyfaced Sam Armytage unrecognisable in resurfaced clip

<p>Aussie TV presenter Sam Armytage appears unrecognisable in a resurfaced clip. </p> <p>A video has emerged of a baby-faced Armytage early on in her media career, presenting for news for WIN in Canberra in the '90s.</p> <p>Armytage appeared on the <em>Today</em> show on Monday morning to discuss the launch of Nine's new reality series <em>The Golden Bachelor,</em> which she will host.</p> <p>It didn't take long before <em>Today</em> host Karl Stefanovic teased her with a throwback video. </p> <p>“You were part of the Nine family going way back to the early ’60s, have a look at this,”  Stefanovic joked.</p> <p>Today co-host Sarah Abo and Armytage laughed as footage of a younger Armytage appeared onscreen wearing a white blazer and rocking a bob cut. </p> <p>Abo told Armytage “you haven’t changed at all!”</p> <p>“Oh darling, thank you. Listen to that little high-pitched voice — I was a baby,” Armytage replied.</p> <p>Armytage's new stint comes just months after she left the Seven Network, where she was previously the host for another reality TV show, <em>Farmer Wants A Wife</em>.</p> <p>The show will air in 2025, with Armytage explaining that it is a similar show to<em> The Bachelor</em> that Aussies love but with a focus on those in their 50s and 60s. </p> <p>“This is bringing it forward to the golden ages, as we like to call it. We’re all heading towards some of this faster than others,” Armytage joked before announcing that they're currently casting. </p> <p>“What we’re looking for here is a Golden Bachelor, most likely in his 60s, and some ladies who will be in their 50s or 60s … because we’re casting now.</p> <p>“This is for people who are looking for love again, so people who’ve got some miles on their tyres who are ready to fall in love again.”</p> <p>She said there would be some “great stories” along with some “kind of sad” ones; however, the aim is for a “happy fairytale ending”.</p> <p>Stefanovic then joked that it was a shame Richard Wilkins was “off the market” before adding he was shocked people over the age of 50 were “so active”.</p> <p>“It’s shocking. I just feel like it’s like a lot to look at on the TV,” Stefanovic said, admitting that he'd watched the US version of the show that debuted last year. </p> <p>“I just find some of it confronting in a physical way.”</p> <p>Abo and Armytage were quick to cut off Stefanovic's train of thought before it went down “a path perhaps that we don’t want it to go down”.</p> <p>“I know what you’re talking about, but I don’t think it’s confronting. I think it’s lovely,” Armytage said.</p> <p>“I think that it’s life. It is. And there’s a huge percentage of the population in this age bracket who are active and looking for love.”</p> <p><em>Images: Today</em></p> <p> </p>

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Sam Armytage breaks silence on Golden Bachelor

<p>After months of speculation about her potential new role, Samantha Armytage has confirmed she will be the host of <em>The Golden Bachelor</em>, hitting screens in 2025. </p> <p>Armytage said she is delighted to "be part of the Nine family" after her long-running career with Channel Seven, as she shared her excitement about the upcoming show that has already taken American audiences by storm. </p> <p>"I think you're all going to love this. It's love for the golden ages," Armytage said. </p> <p>"This show is about finding love for those who have lost love, or are looking for love a second time around. It's going to be beautiful and I can't wait."</p> <p>The show will see one charming <em>Golden Bachelor </em>embark on a heartfelt journey to find a soulmate, with Samantha guiding him every step of the way as he seeks a partner who can share the joys and adventures of life's later chapters.</p> <p>The show was announced at Channel 9's annual Upfronts events alongside its dazzling new host, who said she was excited to start the new hosting gig. </p> <p>"When I got the call to join the show, I didn't hesitate," she said. "[<em>The Golden Bachelor</em>] has been huge in America, and I have a feeling it's gonna be huge in Australia, too."</p> <p>Now that the show and host have been announced, attention has turned to finding Australia's first <em>Golden Bachelor</em> and the women he'll date to find true love.</p> <p>Armytage explained: "<em>The Golden Bachelor</em> is an extension of the original format but for people in their 50s and 60s, so we're appealing to the Golden Ages and people who have had love in the past and now want to find another love – a new love."</p> <p>"You're young at heart. You feel like an adventure. You're looking for some romance and you're looking for real love," she said. "This is about finding real love."</p> <p>Armytage is also encouraging young adults with parents or even grandparents who might be open to love to apply, saying, "This is going to be a great show, and you are really gonna wanna be part of this."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine</em></p>

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NRL star ties the knot in lavish Italian wedding

<p>Sam Burgess and Lucy Graham have tied the knot! </p> <p>The couple said "I do" in Rome, Italy over the weekend, one year after they welcomed their daughter Robbie. </p> <p>Graham took to Instagram to share a series of photos from their big day, alongside the caption: "20.10.24". </p> <p>The couple married at the historic Villa  Aurelia, a 17th-century Baroque villa nestled on the highest point of the walls within Rome.</p> <p>Instead of going with the traditional white dress, Graham wore a champagne coloured gown with a matching veil, with daughter Robbie in a similar coloured dress. </p> <p>The former NRL player wore a black suit with a white button up and a black bowtie. </p> <p>A lot of the decor was neutral-toned but they had beautiful red flowers as their centrepieces which added a pop of colour. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBYjWBztMab/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBYjWBztMab/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lucy Graham (@lcygrhm)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p>Loved ones took to the comments to congratulate the couple, with Tahlia Giumelli, who is married to Tom Burgess, commenting: "Congratulations guys! Hope you had a beautiful day. Everyone looking gorgeous. Xx." </p> <p>Blake Taaffe, who used to play for the Rabbitohs before moving to the Bulldogs, also commented saying:  "Congrats guys 💙💙"</p> <p>Hymel Hunt, who also used to play for the Rabbitohs said: "Congrats guys 😍 love the pics!!!!"</p> <p>Burgess and Graham got engaged in June 2023 after confirming their relationship in September 2022. </p> <p>In September 2023 they had welcomed their daughter Robbie during the grand final week. </p> <p>Burgess was previously married to Phoebe Burgess from 2015 to 2019. They share two children Poppy, 7, and Billy, 5. </p> <p><em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Images: Instagram</span></em></p>

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