Sunrise viewers gush over Natalie Barr as she replaces sick Samantha Armytage

Natalie Barr has stepped in for Sam Armytage on Sunrise while the popular blonde host has been away with a mystery illness. 

And viewers have been lavishing the 51-year-old newsreader with praise and enjoying her ‘genuine’ appeal.  

Social media has been flooded with compliments, with one fan writing: ‘I think Nat is the real deal. She is such an absolute gem’. 

Another person watching at home added in a Facebook comment: ‘Top lady with a good big heart.’ 

‘Natalie Barr I love your passion and human touch on the news you deliver. Like today’s program, it got emotional but genuine,’ a third added.

Fans were moved when the award-winning journalist started to cry, following the heartbreaking news of the Camp Hill tragedy, in which Rowan Baxter killed his estranged wife, Hannah Clarke, and their three children, in a car fire. 

‘Heartfelt emotions by Natalie Barr. Never lose that humanity,’ another agreed. 

But while many fans are loving the new dynamic, others prefer the slated lineup: David Koch, Sam Armytage and Mark Beretta alongside Natalie. 

‘This is the best line up. The rotational policy from 2019 was horrid and Sunrise lost a lot of continuity day to day. Please keep all four together for the majority of the time,’ one Twitter user begged. 

It comes after Natalie and Mark celebrated 25 years with Channel 7 on Monday. 

Natalie revealed on Sunrise the event she still ‘can’t believe’ she was lucky enough to attend as a result of her time on the network.

‘For me it was standing in the middle of two million people watching Barack Obama being sworn in,’ Natalie said.