While Samantha Armytage continues to be linked to The Golden Bachelor star Barry “Bear” Myrden, insiders reveal the former Sunrise host is quietly amused – because rumours about Bear are the perfect distraction from her real love life.
According to close friends, the 49-year-old presenter is getting back in the dating saddle with a polo player!
Sam was posting up a storm at the polo over the weekend – and a source confirms to Woman’s Day she wasn’t there just to spectate!
“Since Sam separated from husband Richard it seems she’s saying yes to everything and is popping up everywhere from the races to the polo – and when the opportunity arose last weekend to attend what’s been dubbed one of the most prestigious events on the polo calendar – Sam couldn’t resist!,” says the insider of the TV star, who was seen rubbing shoulders at the Australia v England F3 polo match in Sydney’s Centennial Park.
The “polo” lifestyle is a great place for singles to mingle – and Sam didn’t waste any time posting a couple of happy snaps on her social media with a couple of dishy polo players – including one with polo royalty David Paradice who we are told on good authority is a happily married man.
But it was another teaser Sam posted of a handsome mystery man that had fans questioning who he was.
While Sam didn’t name her hunky mate, it can now be revealed Sam’s unnamed companion is none other than Kiwi born international polo player Sam Hopkinson who is one of the founders of the F3 polo event.
“He’s also happily married to wife Elisha and they have three daughters – Elisha is chief executive of the APG & Co group, which includes Sportscraft, JAG, and Saba,” says the source.
“Sam would have so much in common with this power couple – they mix in the same social circles and meeting one of the single polo players would be a perfect match for Sam – she loves rural life and is herself a very confident rider.”
“I can ride a horse. I am the real deal,” Sam said in a video posted to Instagram by Scone Polo International over the weekend. “I do enjoy the spectacle of polo.”
And the insider says Sam could become a fixture on the polo circuit!
“The next big event is Portsea in Victoria so no one will be surprised if Sam pops up down there too – she’s never looked better and has a whole new spring in her step since she split with Richard – and has even said herself she’s ready to find love again – and the Portsea event just happens to fall on Valentine’s Day – so let’s watch this space!”
The buzz comes weeks after sources close to the TV personality hinted that Sam’s heart already belongs to someone else entirely – a mystery man she’s quietly been seeing in recent months.
“There’s definitely someone making her happy,” one insider teases. “But she’s keeping it very quiet – and the Bear rumours are the perfect smokescreen.”
“Sam’s been in this business long enough to know how to play the game,” another source told Daily Mail Australia. “She’s happy to let people think whatever they want about her and Bear – it keeps everyone off the scent of what’s actually happening in her life.”
Speculation about an on-set spark between Sam and Bear has followed the pair throughout the filming of The Golden Bachelor, where fans have noted their undeniable chemistry. Whether that connection is genuine or simply good TV remains to be seen – but Sam isn’t doing much to quell the rumours.
“She’s having the time of her life right now,” says a source. “If people want to focus on Bear, she’s fine with that. It’s the perfect cover.”
Bear himself hasn’t helped cool the speculation either, recently joking that he “100 per cent would have given Sam a rose” if she’d been a contestant. Yet friends insist the TV bachelor only sees Sam as a close friend, describing their relationship as one built on mutual respect.
The timing of all this intrigue comes less than a year after Sam confirmed her split from husband Richard Lavender, the equestrian businessman she married on New Year’s Eve in 2020. The pair, who first started dating in 2019, quietly went their separate ways just before what would have been their fourth wedding anniversary.
“Richard and I have separated,” Sam said in a statement at the time. “All breakups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other.”
Since the separation, Sam has kept her tone upbeat and optimistic. During an appearance on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show, she admitted she’s open to finding love again.
“Of course I’ll find love again,” she said. “I’m keeping my options open. Don’t worry about me – I’m having fun as always.”
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