Samantha Armytage's ex-husband Richard Lavender tipped to land a spot on revamped Farmer Wants A Wife
Channel Seven is preparing a major revamp of its beloved dating show Farmer Wants A Wife and it seems they have their sights set on a surprising candidate.
The network is reportedly eager to land former host Samantha Armytage 's estranged husband Richard Lavender.
The former couple called time on their relationship in December, shortly before their fourth anniversary.
The move is part of a larger scheme to inject new life into the 2026 season by featuring older farmers to compete with Channel Nine's The Golden Bachelor—now hosted by Armytage.
Armytage's departure from Seven last year to join Nine's The Golden Bachelor added another twist to the unfolding drama, setting the stage for a potential clash between the networks.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
A production insider revealed to New Idea magazine that Seven was determined to avoid staleness in their format and was eyeing the wealthy equestrian businessman as a potential lead for a new spin-off titled The Golden Farmer.
'Production doesn't want the format becoming stale. They're desperate to give the show a fresh new look and format in a bid to rival its growing competitors,' the source said.
However, the move might not sit well with Armytage, 48, who reportedly sees the prospect as a slight, considering Lavender's aversion to the spotlight during their marriage.
'Sam wouldn't love the idea of Richard being involved in Farmer, in fact she would probably see it as a bit of an insult,' the insider added.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Seven and Armytage's representative's for comment.
The couple's split, following Armytage's departure from Seven, has been a topic of industry speculation, particularly regarding tensions allegedly brewing between Lavender's adult children and the TV personality.
Sources close to the situation revealed to Daily Mail Australia these tensions may have contributed to the breakup, prompting Armytage to relocate from Lavender's sprawling estate in New South Wales back to Sydney's eastern suburbs.
In December, Armytage sensationally announced she had split from the equestrian businessman, 65, on the eve of their four-year wedding anniversary.
The couple tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year's Eve in 2020.
Well-placed sources revealed news of their split exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, with Armytage then confirming they had 'amicably' gone their separate ways.
As the current season of FWAW draws to a close, Channel Seven has announced the dating series will be back on our screens in 2026 and applications are officially open.
The network took to social media last month to share the exciting news, urging single farmers from across Australia to head online and apply for their chance at finding love.
In a move sure to delight fans, producers confirmed they are on the hunt for 'all single farmers' to star in the show's upcoming sixteenth season.
To be eligible for the show, applicants must be at least 21 years old and are required to disclose any past or present criminal charges.
Budding reality stars will also need to be available for filming from early October to mid-December 2025, with the highly anticipated reunion episode set to film over three days in January 2026.
The Australian version of Farmer Wants A Wife is the most successful reality dating television show in the country, by the metric of lasting unions.
It has resulted in a notable number of marriages and babies, including 11 marriages and 27 children in Australia.
The show's international success is even more impressive, with reports of over 200 marriages and more than 500 children worldwide.
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