As Sam Armytage’s Nine Future Hangs in the Balance, One Very Familiar Name Emerges in the Race to Replace Her
Sam Armytage’s next move could have an unexpected knock-on effect
Samantha Armytage’s future at Nine has become a little more intriguing, with speculation that her recent return to breakfast television could eventually lead to a bigger role on Today.
The veteran broadcaster has been filling in on Today amid a period of change for Nine’s breakfast line-up. While Armytage has made it clear that she is currently only filling in, she has also left the door open to what could come next.
Speaking to TV WEEK at the 2026 Logies, Armytage said she was not officially “back” on breakfast television and was simply filling in, adding: “We’ll see what’s next.” When asked about a longer return to mornings, she teased viewers to “watch this space”.
That uncertainty has now prompted a new question: if Sam’s role on Today became more permanent, who could step into her place on The Golden Bachelor?
One unexpected name has entered the conversation.
Enter Nicky Buckley
According to an industry source quoted by Woman’s Day, former television favourite Nicky Buckley could be considered for the hosting role if Armytage ultimately stepped aside from The Golden Bachelor.
Buckley is best remembered by many Australians as one of the familiar faces of Sale of the Century during the 1990s.
The source described her as a strong potential fit for the dating series, pointing to her television experience, warmth and a quality that may be particularly valuable for Nine: nostalgia.
“Nicky would be perfect,” the source claimed, suggesting that her long history on Australian television and her own life experience could give her a natural connection to the show’s older audience.
There is, however, no official confirmation from Nine that Buckley is being lined up to replace Armytage.
Why Nicky Buckley could make sense for the show
On paper, the idea has an obvious appeal.
The Golden Bachelor is built around people finding love later in life, with the format deliberately focusing on relationships, second chances and the realities of dating at an older age.
That makes Buckley’s television history particularly interesting.
The former model became a recognisable television personality during the 1990s and spent years in front of Australian audiences. Her connection to Sale of the Century also means she is already familiar to many viewers who now sit within the demographic targeted by The Golden Bachelor.
That is the thinking behind the “nostalgia value” mentioned by the industry source.
Rather than simply replacing Armytage with another television presenter, Nine could potentially bring back a face that carries decades of familiarity with its audience.
The source also argued that Buckley could bring a different kind of maturity to the role — something that could suit a programme centred on love and relationships later in life.
But Sam Armytage is not out of the picture
For now, the speculation remains just that.
Nine’s own material continues to list Samantha Armytage as the host of The Golden Bachelor, with the second season set to return in 2026. The network has also promoted the programme as a major part of its upcoming content slate.
Armytage is therefore not currently being replaced.
The speculation has instead emerged because of the unusual position she now finds herself in: she has one foot in Nine’s breakfast television world while remaining attached to one of the network’s newer prime-time successes.
Her recent Today stint has only added fuel to the question of whether Nine could ultimately offer her a more permanent position.
Armytage herself has not ruled the possibility out.
At the Logies, she acknowledged that a longer return to breakfast TV would require thought, describing the early starts and level of attention involved as significant commitments.
A very different future for The Golden Bachelor
The possibility of Armytage moving towards Today would leave Nine with an interesting decision.
The first Australian season of The Golden Bachelor performed strongly, reaching 7.4 million people across Total TV, according to Nine’s own figures, with the finale reaching 2.2 million viewers.
Armytage became closely associated with that first season, helping guide viewers through a format that was deliberately warmer and more mature than the traditional Bachelor franchise.
Replacing her would therefore be more than a simple change of presenter.
It would mean deciding whether to preserve the tone established in season one — or use the opportunity to give the show a slightly different identity.
That is where Buckley becomes an intriguing possibility.
From Sale of the Century to a possible full-circle moment
For Nicky Buckley, a return to Nine would carry its own sense of history.
She was once a highly familiar presence on Australian television, particularly during the Sale of the Century era. Now, decades later, the idea of her fronting a programme about people searching for love later in life has a certain symmetry.
It would also give Nine something that is increasingly difficult to manufacture: a familiar face with genuine history behind her.
But for now, the important word is possibility.
Sam Armytage remains connected to The Golden Bachelor, and Nine has not announced a change to its hosting arrangements.
Still, with Armytage’s breakfast television future under discussion, the sudden appearance of Nicky Buckley’s name offers a glimpse of what could happen if Nine’s plans for Today take a very different turn.
And if that happens, one of Australian television’s most recognisable faces from the 1990s could find herself back where it all began — on Nine.