Samantha Armytage has sent fans into a frenzy with a surprising wedding announcement — but it’s not quite what anyone expected.
Months after the former Sunrise host quietly ended her marriage to businessman Richard Lavender, the 48-year-old presenter has been dropping subtle hints that she’s ready to turn the page. From cryptic Instagram quotes about “starting over” to stepping out with fashion designer Jonathan Ward — affectionately calling him her new “wingman” — speculation about her love life has only intensified.
But the wedding Samantha revealed this week belongs to someone very close to her.
A family celebration steals the spotlight
On Monday, Armytage shared a heart-melting photo from her younger brother Charlie’s wedding to fiancée Alexandra. The couple looked straight out of a country-chic fairytale as they walked hand-in-hand down a sunlit path. Alexandra stunned in an elegant off-shoulder gown, while Charlie opted for a sharp dark suit and a classic striped tie.
“Congratulations to my brother Charlie & Alex… married! Such a joyful day. Isn’t love fabulous?!” Armytage wrote, sparking an outpouring of warm comments from followers praising the ceremony’s “simple elegance”.
A new ‘wingman’ — and a swirl of rumours
Armytage and Ward first set gossip pages alight when they attended the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival together in April. Posing arm-in-arm, the pair looked effortlessly polished: Samantha wore a cream silk skirt and white shirt, while Ward matched her classic style with a beige jacket and waistcoat.
Despite the romantic optics, insiders maintain the two are simply long-time friends. They were even spotted dining with Lavender back in 2021 during happier times for the then-married couple.
Life after love — and life on TV
Since parting ways with Lavender in December — just shy of their fourth anniversary — Armytage has refocused her energy on work, fronting The Golden Bachelor for Channel 9. She broke her silence on dating earlier this year, offering a candid glimpse into her personal life:
“My love life is pretty quiet — not much to write home about. I’m living vicariously through my show at the moment,” she told The Daily Telegraph.
Her split from Lavender came as a surprise to some in the industry, especially after she left Sunrise to build a quieter life on his Southern Highlands property. It’s understood she has since settled back in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
A new chapter unfolding
While Armytage herself may not be walking down the aisle anytime soon, her brother’s wedding brought a burst of joy — and perhaps a reminder that new beginnings come in many forms.
And if her recent quotes, appearances, and confidence are anything to go by, Samantha Armytage’s next chapter might be her most compelling yet.
