Tensions are said to have emerged between Samantha Armytage and Bachelor alum Osher Günsberg, as the new Golden Bachelor host lands a huge payday.
Sam, 49, is set to star in the highly anticipated Bachelor spin-off while Osher, 51, served as the franchise’s Australian host from 2013 to 2023 until it was axed by Ten.
Now, a source claims Sam has inked a ‘lucrative’ three-season deal with Nine that puts Osher’s old salary to shame, reported New Idea on Friday.
While the details of Sam’s deal were undisclosed, the publication claimed her pay packet far outweighs what Osher earned at Ten.
‘It’s the ultimate burn,’ a source claimed.
‘Osher was instrumental in keeping the franchise alive and now Samantha is not only the new face, but she’s being paid far more than Osher ever was.’
Tensions are said to have emerged between Samantha Armytage, 49, and Bachelor alum Osher Günsberg, 51, as the new Golden Bachelor host lands a huge payday
The source also claimed the pay disparity, and the ‘prestige’ associated with the high-profile hosting gig, had created awkwardness between Sam and Osher.
‘It’s about prestige. Osher helped build the show and now Samantha’s eclipsed him completely,’ they said.
The insider said things were ‘awkward’ but ‘cordial’ between them at Nine Upfronts in October: ‘There’s no denying Samantha has taken the crown and Osher knows it.’
Daily Mail has reached out to Channel Nine, Sam and Osher for comment.
With The Golden Bachelor set to air straight after The Block, Channel Nine is betting the dating series will be the next big thing on Aussie screens.
Those closest to the production insist Sam is simply doing what she does best.
‘It’s just good TV,’ a production insider told Daily Mail.
‘And she’s a pro. She knows exactly how to play the part.’
A source claims Sam has inked a ‘lucrative’ three-season deal with Nine that puts Osher’s old salary to shame, reported New Idea on Friday
The claims come after Samantha recently shut down rumours that she’s become close with the Golden Bachelor, Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, after their red carpet debut at the Logies sparked whispers of an off-screen romance.
Speaking on Nova’s Chrissie Swan Show, the Sunrise alum and new host of Channel Nine’s dating experiment laughed off suggestions that she and the silver fox were more than colleagues.
‘Well, you can’t host the show and then steal the Golden Bachelor. Hello. That wouldn’t be much fun would it?’ Sam quipped when asked if she’d ever considered taking advantage of her ‘staff discount’.
She went on to say Bear was ‘wonderful’ but he was just ‘a friend’ and ‘there are 20 wonderful ladies who were just so excited to meet him’.
