Sam Armytage applauds Karl Stefanovic for 'thinking differently' as she addresses rumours she'll replace the axed Today host on breakfast show: 'I salute him'

Sam Armytage has shared some supportive words for ousted Today host Karl Stefanovic. 

Stefanovic, who sensationally left Nine after his controversial chat with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson on his independent podcast, is 'very good at what he does', Sam told the Daily Telegraph on Sunday. 

'I wish him well with his new project. He's in his 50s now. I think your life changes in your 50s. You start thinking differently,' the 49-year-old said. 

'And when you work for a network for a long time - I know I've been there - there's a lot of familiarity in that and you look for something else perhaps. So I salute him.'

As to whether she will be stepping into the seat left vacant on Today by Stefanovic's departure, Armytage didn't entirely rule it out, but said that she has not signed on the dotted line. 

'I love breakfast TV. I've done it for a long time. I know how to do it, I enjoy it, and I'm doing some fill-in stuff coming up, which will be great,' she said. 

'But there is no job offered.'

Channel Nine's search for a new Today show co-host has heated up, with veteran presenters Armytage and Sylvia Jeffreys slated as fill-ins, as the network continues to hunt for a replacement for Stefanovic.

Both Armytage and Jeffreys, 40, are expected to spend time in the co-host chair over the coming weeks, as Nine assesses who could front the struggling breakfast program, reports The Daily Telegraph.

The reported trials come amid growing speculation the network is weighing up its long-term future for the flagship breakfast show, with Stefanovic permanently gone and co-host Sarah Abo preparing to take maternity leave.

The network is also believed to be considering several options for its broader presenting team.

Longtime Newcastle NBN newsreader Jane Goldsmith is understood to be a leading contender to take over the newsreading role.

While Nine appears to have several strong female candidates in the mix, finding a permanent male co-host to replace Stefanovic is reportedly proving far more difficult.

The network is expected to use Abo's maternity leave as an opportunity to test a variety of on-air partnerships before making any long-term decisions on the future line-up.

The renewed speculation surrounding Today comes as the breakfast program struggles in the ratings, being soundly defeated by Channel Seven's competitor, Sunrise.

Meanwhile, the Nine Network has dropped the new radio show The Long Weekend from its 9Now and Stan streaming platforms following Stefanovic's exit.

Stefanovic, 51, was slated to co-host the show alongside fellow media veteran Eddie McGuire, with expectations that it would be a multi-platform rollout.

However, it would seem Nine has quietly dropped the show, which can now only be heard on Gold FM, according to the Herald Sun on Saturday.

The only episode available on Nine is the June 26 upload where McGuire addressed Stefanovic's absence following his career-ending interview with Tommy Robinson. 

Stefanovic only appeared in two episodes of The Long Weekend.

McGuire, 61, has continued to host the show solo with the help of newsreader Georgia Love and anchor Toni Tenaglia.