Natalie Barr becomes new Sunrise anchor

No surprises here, Natalie Barr has now been confirmed as the new anchor on Sunrise.

Barr was always the hot favourite to succeed Samantha Armytage, having served as the show’s newsreader and regular fill-in co-host over the past 18 years.

She will join David ‘Kochie’ Koch at the desk alongside Mark Beretta, Sam Mac and Edwina Bartholomew -who adds news presenting to her entertainment duties- from Monday.

Her appointment alongside colleagues avoids disruption for viewers, already familiar with her work.

“Sunrise has been my work family for 18 years and while I’ve absolutely loved my role as newsreader, I’ve now been given the chance to move half a metre along the desk closer to Kochie and give something new a try,” she said.

“I like to think of it as same same but different. I can’t wait!”

David Koch credited her with being much more than a news presenter.

“For years she has always stepped up as a co-host, filling in for Sam and I, and spent much of last year leading our coverage of the COVID pandemic,” he said.

“Nat and I have always had a very close relationship – I’ve seen her sons grow into fine young men, walked The Kokoda Track with her husband, Drew, and her mum Julie is so gorgeous.

“Nat is a wonderful person, with a wonderful family, and I can’t wait to sit alongside her as we continue to evolve Sunrise.”

Executive Producer Michael Pell said, “There is no one better to lead the program through this next exciting phase” than Barr.

“Nat’s depth and experience as a journalist is unrivalled.”

And for those with a long memory…. Barr co-hosted the first few weeks of Sunrise in 1996 with (a different) Peter Ford after Nine blocked Chris Bath from joining Seven from NBN.

Source: Seven News