A new contender is reportedly in the running to replace Sarah Abo on Channel Nine’s Today Show when she welcomes her first child later this year.
Last week, the presenter, 39, announced she is expecting a baby boy with her husband, Cyrus Moran, and speculation has been mounting about who will take her place alongside Karl Stefanovic when she goes on maternity leave.
Samantha Armytage has reportedly expressed interest in fronting the flagship breakfast show, but Stefanovic, 51, is said to be backing another presenter to land the coveted gig.
According to sources, Stefanovic and Nine’s Director of Morning TV, Steven Burling, are pushing for Amelia Adams to take on the role.
Adams, 43, is a familiar face on the network, fronting 60 Minutes and previously standing in as a Today newsreader.
As per The Australian, Stefanovic and Burling are said to have tried to recruit Adams for years, even putting her forward for the co-host role following Allison Langdon’s departure in 2022.
However, Nine’s director of television, Michael Healy, has different ideas.
He is reportedly ready to hand the gig to Armytage, given her success as the host of Seven’s rival breakfast show, Sunrise, which she co-hosted with David Koch for nearly a decade.
“Sam has to be a shoo-in to replace Sarah,” a source told New Idea.
“This was never planned, but Sam is throwing her hat in the ring for the gig.
“It’s exactly the type of situation she’s been after- a permanent role but not one that will go on forever.”
The Golden Bachelor host, 49, has long been linked to Today and even stepped in for Abo during the 2025 Christmas break.
It’s said that Healy hopes pairing Armytage with Stefanovic will boost Today’s second-place breakfast ratings.
Last year, it was rumoured that Armytage could replace Abo entirely, but she shut down the speculation during an interview with 2GB host Ben Fordham in October.
“Sarah and Karl are fantastic,” she said.
“You know how it goes, people talk. But I am very happy in prime time – Golden Bachelor is where it’s at for me. I’m quite content with my little lot in life, thank you.”
Stefanovic, who launched his own podcast earlier this year, previously shared his feelings about Abo being replaced.
“I don’t see Sarah ever being replaced. And I genuinely have no interest in working with anyone else,” he told Stellar.
“That’s not a slight on Sam. I’ve done 20 years, and I don’t know about going through all that with another person.
“I’m closer to the end than the start. That’s the reality.”