‘Instantly attracted’: Sam Armytage goes public with new boyfriend
Notoriously private Sunrise star Samantha Armytage has gushed about her new relationship in a surprisingly candid magazine interview.
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Samantha Armytage has revealed she’s found love with farmer-turned-businessman Richard Lavender, gushing over their new life together.
The popular Sunrise presenter, 43, usually keeps her private life a closely-guarded secret – but she was more than happy to spill on her relationship with Lavender, 60, in a joint interview for Who Magazine ’s “Sexiest People” issue.
The couple met in the country through a mutual friend around Easter this year and have been dividing their time between her Sydney home and his Southern Highlands property ever since.
“His eyes were the first thing I saw,” Armytage told the magazine, explaining that “there was a connection” immediately.
“I don’t think he even knew who I was when we first met,” she said, to which Lavender confirmed he’d had “no idea” she was a household name.
Armytage also opened up about why she fell in love with Lavender, who she claims is “really comfortable in his own skin”.
“He doesn’t care what people think of him, which I admire greatly. He’s very decent, very honest. I love that he’s so modest,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lavender explained that the “sparkle in her eye” meant he was “instantly attracted” to Armytage, who grew up in the NSW Snowy Mountains.
“She has a quick wit, a terrific sense of humour … she’s very natural,” he told the magazine.
“I think a lot of the people who are in show business are a bit flouncy. I’ve seen a few celebrities in public – it’s not always attractive.”
WHO IS RICHARD LAVENDER?
Armytage also spoke about her boyfriend during Sunrise this week, explaining that it was at “a party” where they first met and hit it off.
“He’s very decent, very honest, he’s a good bloke... (and) a very good-looking rooster,” she told her co-hosts, whom she claimed had already given him the tick of approval.
Lavender owns a 40-hectare property in Bowral, in NSW - the same town where Sam owns a luxurious five-bedroom home.
He was once a farmer, but now rehomes, retrains and breeds thoroughbred horses in the Southern Highlands.
Meanwhile, Armytage, who was named as the new Weight Watchers (WW) ambassador earlier this year, has been making headlines in recent months after shedding 10 kilograms.
Earlier this year, she explained it wasn’t about the number on the scales, but about adopting a “holistic approach to life”.
“I feel great, absolutely fantastic — don’t forget I get up at 3.15am so being a bit lighter and having more energy throughout the day really helps,” she told news.com.au.
“It’s a nice feeling and I want to keep going.”
Originally published as ‘Instantly attracted’: Sam Armytage goes public with new boyfriend