‘My role’: Natalie Gruzlewski returns as Farmer Wants a Wife host

TV presenter Natalie Gruzlewski reveals what she thinks of her return as host of the popular dating series after Samantha Armytage departed the show to host The Golden Bachelor.

A proven confident and competent cupid, Natalie Gruzlewski doubts she’d ever be brave enough for TV dating.

As she returns to the reins of Farmer Wants a Wife for another year, the popular TV presenter reflects: “Dating itself is hard. Dating on national television is harder and I’m not sure if I could do it!

“And I’ve been married for 15 years [to husband Luke Ray], so I think I’m a little out of practice.

“But everyone who signed up is there for the right reasons. And it’s really exciting that every year we see some good old-fashioned romance and love stories develop on the show.”

Of course, the farmers and the city women who woo them have a lot of incentive to sign up for the Gruzlewski-helmed dating show.

Since the series began in 2007, Farmer Wants a Wife has spawned 11 marriages and 27 babies; making it TV’s most successful dating show.

Natalie Gruzlewski doubts she’d ever be brave enough for TV dating.

In addition to helping guide four new farmers on the path to love this year, Gruzlewski also spent time with some of her previous success stories explaining: “These reunions really reveal the legacy of the show. We often talk about the numbers of couples and babies that have come out of it, but it’s another thing to see their children and their families yourself.”

Gruzlewski has relished being in attendance for some of those 11 weddings and to witness big screen moments such as cattleman Nathan McClymont’s unexpected proposal to Perth contract administrator Amanda Ecker in the 2010 finale after a whirlwind TV courtship. She said yes and now West Australian farmer and his bride have three children.

Equally, it’s the little hints that love is blossoming “the instant smiles that come up, or the reassuring hand that reaches out at the right time” that make a mark on Gruzlewski.

“I sound like a broken record but it really is exciting to be part of those moments,” she smiles.

Based on a British format, there have been 33 different versions of Farmer Wants a Wife made around the world, showcasing the love searches of landowners from as far afield as the South African veld to the Romanian countryside.

The TV landscape has changed dramatically since Farmer debuted here in 2007, but – after two revivals – it has outlasted many of its dating show rivals.

For Gruzlewski, the reason for Farmer’s longevity is simple, smiling: “This formula works, and it’s a real avenue for people to find love.”

And for the hardworking farmers, Gruzlewski notes: “This is their only opportunity to get to know eight ladies at once. These guys are not afraid to admit they’re ready to commit. They’re ready to find love, settle down, start a family. And they’re not joking when they say they’re the only single person within 100k radius, or the only single boy left in town.”

With Nathan McClymont and Amanda Ecker. McClymont asked Ecker to marry him on the show.

Often the farmers still need a little encouragement to parade their search for love in front of a national audience. And so, it is often their mums, sisters or family friends who throw their Akubras in the ring for TV romance.

Once Gruzlewski and the film crew roll into a small town to film the latest series, residents will stop her in the street to say: “’Hey, I’ve got a cousin or a friend or a brother, can you get them on the show?’ The farmers do often need someone else to dob them in still. And that’s why we often get stopped.”

With farmers coming from every corner of Australia – from dusty outback cattle stations to an oyster farm surrounded by dazzling ocean waters – Gruzlewski has gotten to see some of the country’s most remote and beautiful locations.

“I think our most remote farm was outside Coober Pedy where it took around half an hour to get from the front gates to the property,” she recalls. “So we have covered a lot of miles on the show and visited some beautiful parts of Australia.”

And this year is no exception.

“I think the viewers will fall in love with our new farmers. Thomas from Kimba in South Australia (we haven’t had a South Australian farmer for a long time). And also Tom from Borambola near Wagga Wagga, Jarrad in Stanthorpe, and Corey in Biloela, Central Queensland,” she says.

“Every season we love going on the journey with these farmers and getting to know them and watch watching these beautiful love stories develop. But it’s not without a few heated moments along the way because relationships and love in drama are naturally dynamic.”

Back in her first year of hosting in 2007.

This season also sees Gruzlewski returning as sole host of the series with Samantha Armytage departing to play matchmaker on Nine’s version of the US juggernaut, The Golden Bachelor. That series will see older singles entrust Armytage with helping them find the one.

Once again the sole presenter means a lot more air time – and time on the road away from her husband and daughter, Olivia, 12 – for Gruzlewski as she attended Spring Harvest Festival, country balls and a rodeo.

“I love doing this, whatever shape my role may take,” she says tactfully of Armytage flying the coop, adding that every season presents her with new challenges.

“There was a lot more travel this year. It’s a huge season. There are more spectacular, romantic dates. My role is just to be there for the farmers every step of the way. To hold their hand, calm their nerves and just guide them through.”

Given her proven track record at helping farmers find wives, its understandable that Gruzlewski’s own friends and family have occasionally sought her expertise with their own dating dramas.

“And I couldn’t help myself playing matchmaker,” she giggles. “It [my TV role] merged into real life, but I think I’ll just stick to focus on finding love for farmers now.”

FARMER WANTS A WIFE

7.30pm, Monday, Seven

Originally published as ‘My role’: Natalie Gruzlewski returns as Farmer Wants a Wife host