Telling clue Samantha Armytage was going to split with husband Richard Lavender just weeks before their fourth wedding anniversary

Samantha Armytage shocked fans when she and husband Richard Lavender split just weeks before their fourth anniversary, but insiders have claimed it was a long time coming. 

Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Thursday that the TV presenter, 48, and her equestrian businessman husband, 61, had gone their separate ways. 

Now some sources have revealed the biggest sign Armytage and her partner were breaking things off was her big from Seven to Nine, reported Yahoo Lifestyle on Monday. 

'As soon as Sam announced she was leaving Seven for Nine and making a big TV comeback, we all started suspecting something had happened,' the insider said.

'Her main reason for initially quitting Sunrise was to be with him and settle down away from the industry.'

Armytage began co-hosting Seven Network's breakfast television program in 2013 alongside former co-anchor David 'Kochie' Koch.

However, she sensationally quit the show in 2021 and appeared to trade in her bustling showbusiness life for a quiet one with her husband Lavender in the country. 

After appearing on Farmer Wants A Wife Australia for two seasons, Armytage jumped ship from Seven to Nine in October, snatching up gigs as fast as they were offered. 

Armytage confirmed to Woman's Day in 2021 that her relationship with Lavender was part of the reason why she left Sunrise, saying she enjoyed their new life in Southern Highlands.

'[Farming] is in my blood. I'm back to where I began. This is sort of Act Two of my life,' she said at the time.

'I'm proud of myself that I made that jump into the complete unknown, because I didn't know what would come after that. 

'I was newly married, so I had Rich to help me through, and I knew I wanted to be back in the country, so I jumped off the cliff.'

Now a source has claimed their split has been widely speculated about for months in the TV industry. 

'Sam's been keeping the details pretty quiet but the impression everyone gets is she just wasn't ready to retire and give everything up yet, which is more likely to have caused tensions as Rich is notoriously private,' they said.   

Armytage was seen for the first time on Sunday since her split from Lavender, looking downcast as she ran errands in Surry Hills without her wedding ring on. 

The incoming Golden Bachelor host kept a low profile in dark sunglasses as she was spotted returning to her car.

Armytage and Lavender's separation was planned to be leaked to a Sydney newspaper on Friday, but sources confirmed the news to Daily Mail Australia in advance.

'Yes Richard and I have separated. All breakups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other,' Armytage then told media late Thursday evening.

'I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won’t be making any further comment.'

While the news just emerged publicly, it is understood Armytage's television presenter friends have been comforting the star behind the scenes for some time.

Armytage is no longer followed on Instagram by Lavender's two daughters, Sascha and Grace, although the former couple still follow each other.

Armytage started dating Lavender in April 2019, and they announced their engagement in June 2020, before tying the knot at his property in rural NSW six months later.

In a wedding photo, Armytage was seen holding hands with her new husband as they strolled across his Southern Highlands estate on New Year's Eve, shortly after saying 'I do'.

She captioned the heartwarming picture, which was taken after their wedding ceremony but before their reception: '11.58am on a Thursday. How lucky are we?'

The intimate ceremony only featured a small number of guests due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Lavender's daughters believed to have attended.

Armytage also posted a photo from later in the evening, which showed the couple cuddling alongside the words: 'HNY from the Lav's.'

Amid her marriage breakdown, Armytage has also undergone a huge career change after stepping down from Channel Seven after 21 years with the network.

She has moved to rival network Nine and been signed up as the host of brand new reality dating show The Golden Bachelor.

The Golden Bachelor is a spin-off of The Bachelor series, but differs in that the contestants of the reality dating show are singletons in their 50s and 60s.

In her new position at Nine, she will also become a 'fill in' presenter on Today while regular hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo go on leave over the summer.

Once the host of Seven's rival breakfast show Sunrise, Armytage will be co-hosting with Weekend Today star Clint Stanaway.

The journalist will 'wake up with Today' for a week and a half, putting her eight years anchor experience at Sunrise from 2013 until 2021 to good use in the rival hot seat.