They confirmed their romance in November last year, when they posed up together for a spread for WHO magazine’s Sexiest People issue.
And on Friday, Samantha Armytage, 43, was left shocked when her businessman boyfriend Richard Lavender, 60, called into Sunrise while live on air for Valentine’s Day.
At first, the blonde journalist – who is notoriously private with her love life – didn’t even recognise Richard’s voice, but soon admitted she was ‘nervous’ that he called up and told her he got her a surprise.
‘I’ve been trying to throw her off the scent!’ A ‘nervous’ Samantha Armytage, 43, was left shocked as businessman boyfriend Richard Lavender, 60, called into Sunrise on Valentine’s Day on Friday to give her a ‘surprise’
‘It’s Rich! Happy Valentine’s Day,’ Richard said at first, with Sam not recognising his voice.
‘I’m much more romantic than Sammy,’ he said.
He added: ‘You told me you wanted a surprise.’
Going strong! They confirmed their romance in November last year, when they posed up together for a spread for WHO magazine’s Sexiest People issue (pictured together)
Richard went on to reveal that he had made her a gift for the special day and said he had been trying to ‘throw her off the scent’ to surprise her.
‘She prides herself on being a good journalist Kochie and she’s been asking me what I’ve been doing the last couple of days and I’ve been having trouble throwing her off the scent,’ Richard said.
‘I made this little thing for you Sammy, I’ll send you a picture when I hang up, hopefully you’ll like it,’ he added.
Keeping it real: Sam joked that she thought her man was getting her a wheel alignment for Valentine’s Day, as her car needed it. She then admitted she was ‘nervous’ during the phone call
Sam joked that she thought her man was getting her a wheel alignment for Valentine’s Day, as her car needed it.
She then admitted she was ‘nervous’ during the phone call.
The couple confirmed their romance in November last year.
Speaking to WHO magazine’s Sexiest People issue, the 43-year-old Sunrise host praised her new boyfriend, 60, as a ‘decent’ and ‘very honest’ man.
She’s smitten: The couple confirmed their romance in November last year. Speaking to WHO magazine’s Sexiest People issue, the 43-year-old Sunrise host praised her new boyfriend, 60, as a ‘decent’ and ‘very honest’ man
She revealed the couple had been introduced by a mutual friend ‘around Easter’ and shared an instant connection.
Sam, who is notoriously private when it comes to her personal life, added that the most attractive thing about Richard is that he’s ‘comfortable in his own skin.’
She also likes that he isn’t part of the media bubble, adding that he didn’t even know she hosted Australia’s most-watched breakfast TV show when they first met.
Richard told the magazine that he was drawn to Sam because of ‘the sparkle in her eye’ and their shared passion for horses and the outdoors.
Down to earth: She also likes that he isn’t part of the media bubble, adding that he didn’t even know she hosted Australia’s most-watched breakfast TV show when they first met
Richard added that he’s had some negative experiences with ‘flouncy’ celebrities in the past, but ‘natural’ and down-to-earth Sam is nothing like that.
Richard lives in a 40-hectare property in Bowral, NSW, the same country town where Sam owns a $2.2million five-bedroom retreat.
It’s believed the couple spend most weekends together in the Southern Highlands, while Sam returns to her $2.5million Bondi home in the week.
They are said to have met at socialite Skye Leckie’s 60th birthday party in April. Interestingly, Sam’s rumoured ex, jet tycoon Paul O’Brien, was also in attendance.
