Channel Seven is ‘grooming Weekend Sunrise anchors Matt Doran and Monique Wright to replace Sam Armytage and David Koch on Sunrise’
Channel Seven allegedly has a succession plan in place for when Sunrise co-hosts Sam Armytage and David Koch decide to step down.
Weekend Sunrise anchors Matt Doran, 37, and Monique Wright, 47, are said to be the main candidates and they’re being ‘groomed’ for the top job, reports Woman’s Day.
Monique in particular is ‘loved by the big bosses’ at Seven, who consider her to be the ideal replacement for Sam, 44, when the time comes.
Sunrise shake-up! Channel Seven in ‘crisis meetings’ with it grooming Matt Doran and Monique Wright (pictured) to replace Sam Armytage and David Kochie on the top-rated breakfast show, according to a report in Woman’s Day magazine on Monday
‘[Monique’s] been at Seven since 1996 and she knows her stuff,’ a source said.
‘She’s also a mum, she’s relatable and treats everyone with respect.’
Matt is apparently very popular with viewers and network executives consider him to be a natural successor for when Kochie, 64, retires.
![In the wings: '[Monique's] been at Seven since 1996 and she knows her stuff,' the source said.'She's also a mum, she's relatable and treats everyone with respect'](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/02/08/01/39005580-9234945-image-a-12_1612747004247.jpg?resize=634%2C793&ssl=1)
In the wings: ‘[Monique’s] been at Seven since 1996 and she knows her stuff,’ the source said.’She’s also a mum, she’s relatable and treats everyone with respect’
‘It’s no secret at the network that Matt is the heir apparent – he’s a nice fit for all demographics and the female viewers love him,’ said the insider.
They continued: ‘He has a terrific sense of humour, a really strong news sense and is incredibly compassionate when he’s out reporting in the field.’
Paul Burt was also a popular substitute for weatherman Sam Mac during the summer non-ratings period, which could signify a more permanent position is on the horizon.
Broad appeal: ‘It’s no secret at the network that Matt is the heir apparent – he’s a nice fit for all demographics and the female viewers love him,’ the source said
‘They were inundated with viewers begging for him to stay on,’ the source said.
They added that Sam Mac could be looking forward to a new challenge in his career – namely a prime time or early evening game show.
The Woman’s Day report concluded there were no plans to replace newsreader Natalie Barr or sports presenter Mark Beretta on the panel.
Who’s out? In a telling interview, Sam Armytage said she could see herself giving up TV for the quiet life in Bowral. Meanwhile, David Koch will turn 65 in March. The report said Sam Mac was interested in being a prime-time game show host
Roving reporter Edwina Bartholomew also isn’t going anywhere, claimed the source.
Rumours of a shake-up at Sunrise have been swirling in recent months as Kochie reaches retirement age and Sam settles into married life after marrying businessman Richard Lavender on New Year’s Eve.
Speaking to The Kyle and Jackie O Show last month, Sam said that while she was still under contract at Seven, she hadn’t ruled out giving up her TV career for a quiet life.
Stayers! The report stated popular presenters Nat Barr (far left) and Mark Beretta (far right) would remain on the panel of the breakfast show. Sam Armytage and David Koch
She revealed she was ‘very happy’ in her job but could ‘easily’ see herself embracing country life someday.
‘Oh yeah, I think down the track I could, easily,’ she said when asked about retiring to the Southern Highlands in the future.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
Happily ever after: Sam made the admission while discussing her wedding to millionaire horse breeder Richard Lavender. The wedding took place at his $2million estate in Berrima