Sunrise hosts Samantha Armytage and David Koch were forced to address a noisy protest that disrupted their live telecast on Tuesday morning from a Gold Coast beach.

About 40 people gathered behind the presenters’ outdoor set to protest land rights and an all-white Sunrise panel discussion on indigenous adoption led last month by Armytage.

Loud chants of “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land” and “Sam, we are still waiting on an apology” caused the hosts to break from script for a four-minute defence of Seven’s breakfast show just after 8am.

“Some of the language leaves a lot to be desired, and I grew up in the sheepyards,” Armytage, 41, said.

We’re trying to block out some of the more angry and nasty and vile bits of this.”

She was targeted personally by the hostile crowd, which reportedly yelled disparaging comments about her appearance and outfit.

Sunrise sports reporter Mark Beretta, 51, appeared upset by the attacks and the unexpected situation.The show is broadcasting from the beachfront location during the Commonwealth Games.

At one point, a camera crew from rival network Nine turned up to film the action.

Koch, 62, said Sunrise respects “anyone being able to protest” and that the show was “happy to have them here … but we have to be a bit careful with language and aggression.

“We have lots of families and kids here.”

He reportedly turned during an ad break and further schooled the crowd: “Do your homework.”

CONTINUED – Kochie & Sam address the land rights protest behind our broadcast on Kurrawa Beach. pic.twitter.com/Zil3t6MpRR

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) April 9, 2018

The duo battled gamely to steer the protest away from being linked to the controversial March 16 Sunrise adoption segment that was labelled “blatant racism”.

When it sparked a similar protest outside Seven’s Sydney studio, the network hid it from their audience with soundproof blinds and by airing stock footage of Martin Place.

Seven was slammed despite a spokesperson said the move was to ensure “regulatory compliance” given some of the group were holding “offensive” signs and “mouthing obscenities”.

Second time around, Sunrise was at pains to address the situation – with some spin.

“As you can see, we’re being joined by some Aboriginal protesters who are protesting throughout the Commonwealth Games,” Koch said.

“They are protesting land rights and genocide.”

Armytage agreed: “It does appear, Kochie, to be a land rights protest.

“The original segment that sparked this anger was about most at risk kids being removed from horrible situations,” she said.

“It’s terribly sad when it get hijacked and becomes like this.”

One protester agreed land rights was the group’s main focus: “This is about us using the Games as a platform to remind everyone that they’re here on stolen ground, off the backs of colonisation.”

Koch took the PR defence even further.

“We all privately – and that’s one of the things that’s a little annoying about this – we are involved in a lot of great Aboriginal programs that we support,” he said.

“It’s not as if we’re completely anti what they’re saying.

“We do have some sympathy and some agreement with the cause, and in our own way we try to do our own little bit for it.”

The group was eventually encouraged to leave by an elder, but had parting words: “See you tomorrow, Sam.”

Armytage took the incident in her stride: “Oh dear. You wouldn’t do any other job.”

The New Daily contacted Seven for comment.