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NRL star ties the knot in lavish Italian wedding

<p>Sam Burgess and Lucy Graham have tied the knot! </p> <p>The couple said "I do" in Rome, Italy over the weekend, one year after they welcomed their daughter Robbie. </p> <p>Graham took to Instagram to share a series of photos from their big day, alongside the caption: "20.10.24". </p> <p>The couple married at the historic Villa  Aurelia, a 17th-century Baroque villa nestled on the highest point of the walls within Rome.</p> <p>Instead of going with the traditional white dress, Graham wore a champagne coloured gown with a matching veil, with daughter Robbie in a similar coloured dress. </p> <p>The former NRL player wore a black suit with a white button up and a black bowtie. </p> <p>A lot of the decor was neutral-toned but they had beautiful red flowers as their centrepieces which added a pop of colour. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBYjWBztMab/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBYjWBztMab/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lucy Graham (@lcygrhm)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p>Loved ones took to the comments to congratulate the couple, with Tahlia Giumelli, who is married to Tom Burgess, commenting: "Congratulations guys! Hope you had a beautiful day. Everyone looking gorgeous. Xx." </p> <p>Blake Taaffe, who used to play for the Rabbitohs before moving to the Bulldogs, also commented saying:  "Congrats guys 💙💙"</p> <p>Hymel Hunt, who also used to play for the Rabbitohs said: "Congrats guys 😍 love the pics!!!!"</p> <p>Burgess and Graham got engaged in June 2023 after confirming their relationship in September 2022. </p> <p>In September 2023 they had welcomed their daughter Robbie during the grand final week. </p> <p>Burgess was previously married to Phoebe Burgess from 2015 to 2019. They share two children Poppy, 7, and Billy, 5. </p> <p><em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Images: Instagram</span></em></p>

Relationships

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Baby John Burgess makes triumphant return

<p>John Burgess is getting back behind the mic, following his health scare that almost cost him his life. </p> <p>Burgess, known affectionately as Burgo, has a career spanning almost six decades, getting his first big break on radio. </p> <p>Now the 81-year-old is returning to world of media, coming full circle with his first venture into talkback radio on<em> 6PR Perth's</em> afternoon slot. </p> <p>"I'm excited, there's no question about that," Burgess told <em>A Current Affair</em>.</p> <p>"At this stage of my life to be starting something sort of new in this business is quite unique, I'm not the youngest person around.</p> <p>"I've interviewed a lot of people over the years, but to actually choose a subject and get them to talk about it ... it's going to be challenging."</p> <p>In a post shared on X, the broadcasting legend announced his media return with the caption: "I'm returning to Perth radio Sundays from 12 to 4pm on 6PR,my first venture into talk back radio in the 59 years I've been in this business & I'm absolutely packing it.</p> <p>"I'll cover current topics,play some hits,give away some goodies & have a bit of Burgo fun.</p> <p>"Love you to join me!"</p> <p>He also opened up about his health scare, when he was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with sepsis.</p> <p>"I was in ICU for five days, they pumped me full of antibiotics, I had tubes and things all over me," Burgess told <em>A Current Affair</em>. </p> <p>"It hasn't all been a bowl of cherries, I can assure you."</p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

TV

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Dean Jones’ daughter’s touching wedding tribute to her late father

<p>The daughter of late cricket legend Dean Jones has paid a special tribute to him on her wedding day. </p> <p>Phoebe Jones, one of the cricketer’s three children, tied the knot with partner Dario Gomez on the island paradise of Boracay in the Philippines last Wednesday.</p> <p>As a tribute to her late father, Phoebe had the number 324 embroidered at the end of her veil. </p> <p>Dean was a batter and the 324th person selected to play Test cricket for Australia. He was inducted to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019. </p> <p>“Feeling all the love after the week of our dreams,”  she captioned the photos posted to Instagram on Saturday.</p> <p>The wedding had a white theme and featured a stunning sand sculpture with the words “Dario &amp; Phoebe wedding, 24 April 2024."</p> <p>“The most beautiful week celebrating Mr &amp; Mrs Gomez, so many smiles, tears and everlasting memories,” h<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">er sister and bridesmaid Augusta wrote in the comments. </span></p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Pe7peS8DD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6Pe7peS8DD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Phoebe Jones (@phoebejones.xo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Dean tragically passed away on September 24, 2020 aged just 59, after he suffered a stroke while travelling in India as part of his IPL commentary duties. </p> <p>The cricket legend was farewelled at a private family service at the MCG on October 7, 2020. </p> <p>“We have been deeply moved by the outpouring of love for Dean over the last week and can’t thank everyone enough for their support and for sharing their memories with us,” his wife Jane said at the time. </p> <p>“It has been an awful time to navigate as a family, but I could not have thought of a more fitting place to say goodbye to my husband.”</p> <p>He was also honoured  on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against India in 2020. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Sam Burgess reveals heart-warming family news

<p>NRL legend Sam Burgess has confirmed that he and his partner have welcomed their first child together. </p> <p>During an interview on <em>Sunrise</em>, the 34-year-old said that his partner, Lucy Graham, and their newborn daughter are both doing well. </p> <p>Their baby girl, who they named Robbie, arrived on Wednesday after a marathon labour, weighing in at 3.8kg.</p> <p>“Big news, little baby Robbie arrived earlier this week, grand final week we’re cheering,” he said on the breakfast TV show. </p> <p>“I’m on very limited sleep, I’m getting used to that again."</p> <p>“It’s been great and both mum and bub are doing well, all very happy here.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxwpJ9KSCbP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxwpJ9KSCbP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sam Burgess (@samburgess8)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Burgess also told <a title="www.heraldsun.com.au" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/nsw/sam-burgess-and-fiancee-lucy-graham-celebrate-birth-of-first-child/news-story/4abb978fed5ba7b8f13592007e16641c" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="4abb978fed5ba7b8f13592007e16641c" data-tgev-label="news" data-tgev-metric="ev"><em>The Saturday Telegraph</em>, </a>“It was a really, really long labour, it was hard going so I am just really happy and really relieved that everyone has come through safe and well."</p> <p>“I’m so proud of Lucy, she did amazing. Both my girls are amazing,” he said.</p> <p>Sam and Lucy delighted fans when they announced in March that they were expecting a baby, and later turned heads in July when they hosted a baby shower. </p> <p>Graham, who like Burgess is from the United Kingdom, moved to Australia recently in order to be with the former England and South Sydney Rabbitohs star.</p> <p>Burgess has two other children with his former wife, Phoebe Hooke, who are four and three respectively.</p> <p>Burgess began dating Graham, a hairdresser who has also had her own clothing brand, in 2022.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Family & Pets

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Sam Burgess' pregnant fiancée flaunts engagement ring

<p dir="ltr">Newly engaged couple Sam Burgess and his pregnant fiancĂ©e, Lucy Graham, are not afraid to show off their love in a series of pictures from their babymoon in Fiji.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 33-year-old hairdresser took to Instagram to flaunt her massive diamond ring for the first time ever on Monday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Saaaaa cute đŸ„°,” she captioned the series of photos.</p> <p dir="ltr">Graham was pictured with a huge grin on her face as she cuddled close to her beau at a beach in front of a gorgeous tropical background.</p> <p dir="ltr">She posed in a brown bikini with her baby bump peaking through in one of the photos.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtqY1e2yMWe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtqY1e2yMWe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lucy Graham (@lcygrhm)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The pair have reportedly known each other for 20 years, and went public with their relationship last October at the premiere of Russell Crowe's film Poker Face in Rome.</p> <p dir="ltr">They announced their pregnancy news just five months after going public with their relationship and are expecting to welcome their first child together in September.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many fans have taken to the comments to congratulate the newly engaged couple.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Best news. So happy for you two lovers. Can’t wait to celebrate ❀” wrote one fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Congrats lovebirds xx 💋” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Awww massive congrats Lucy! X,” wrote a third person.</p> <p dir="ltr">Burgess, who was a former professional rugby league player, is now a coach for the NRL and shares two kids with his ex-wife Phoebe Burgess.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Sam Burgess’ major life update

<p>Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess is reportedly expecting his third child with girlfriend Lucy Graham. </p> <p>As a friend of the family informed <em>Confidential</em>, Lucy’s pregnancy has apparently progressed past the three-month mark, and the couple are said to be “extremely happy.” </p> <p>“Both Sam and Lucy are happy and healthy and excited about their future together,” a representative for Burgess added.</p> <p>The two only went public with their relationship five months prior to the announcement, though it is believed that they had been friends for roughly 20 years beforehand. Both hail from the United Kingdom, with Lucy reportedly having moved to Australia to start a family with Burgess.</p> <p>The 34-year-old is already a father of two - daughter Poppy and son William - with ex-wife Phoebe. The couple parted ways barely a month after William was born, and while they gave their relationship another try in 2019, they split for good before the year was up. </p> <p>In October 2020, allegations of domestic violence - as well as drug use - were made against him by his ex-wife, and he was stood down from his new position as assistant coach. Burgess denied the allegations, and he was cleared after a year-long investigation. </p> <p>And it was only two years later that his new relationship with Lucy made its public debut on the red carpet of friend Russell Crowe’s Poker Face premiere. At the time, Lucy was labelled by tabloids as a “mystery brunette”.</p> <p>They became ‘social media official’ in January 2023, when Burgess appeared in Lucy’s gallery of New Year’s pictures. Sam’s brother George, and his partner Joanna, were also in attendance at the event. </p> <p>Additionally, the pair have been spotted out and about enjoying a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in Sydney. </p> <p>Despite their whirlwind romance, a source close to the former rugby league player opened up to <em>The Daily Mail</em>, explaining that Burgess is “mad” about his new partner. </p> <p>“It’s been a whirlwind but she is a fantastic woman. They get along so well. All of his friends are so happy to see how happy he makes her,” they said. </p> <p>“The Burgess are very family oriented and I think there was always a plan to start a family,” they added. “From what I hear, she is genuinely good for him. When they're together apparently they laugh all the time - she cracks him up. </p> <p>“He is likely going to coach South's 
 so this is a nice step for him.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Musician divides audiences over controversial Margaret Court slating

<p>Phoebe Bridgers has been both praised and condemned for her brutal slating of Margaret Court. </p> <p>The American musician was performing to a sold out crowd in Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena, when she took aim at the venue's namesake. </p> <p>The 28-year-old Los Angeles native condemned the 80-year-old tennis champion-turned-Christian pastor, who has in recent years become a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and transgender rights. </p> <p>Turning to the crowd during the concert on Wednesday , Bridgers declared: “So, Margaret Court. F*** that stupid***, dumb*** b****. F*** that stupid c***. Change your name!”</p> <p>She then encouraged the riled-up crowd to chant “F*** Margaret Court!” before continuing, “I think hate is undervalued. I think it’s like a f***ing weird, white supremacist idea that hate is bad, or something?"</p> <p>“You know what I mean? It’s like hate is like what moves things throughout history. I hate that stupid b****!"</p> <p>“Hate is like how you protect yourself. What, are you never supposed to be angry, ever?”</p> <p>Phoebe's full rant was posted to Twitter and can be viewed <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrystalChristi/status/1623323236800036864" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p> <p>The expletive-ridden tirade quickly went viral online, with Bridgers' fans and Court's critics hailing the move as "iconic".</p> <p>“It was the most beautiful moment of my life” one concertgoer raved, while another social media user posted: “Now I’m a fan!” as others called for the venue to be renamed Phoebe Bridgers Arena.</p> <p>While the reaction to the musician's protest was mostly supportive, a small group of Margaret Court sympathisers online slammed her on-stage chants. </p> <p>One person wrote, "Any clue why she’s saying f*** Margaret Court: a world famous tennis player who’s home was actually broken into this week?
.. very vile."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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Tania Burgess' teen killer granted parole

<p>The teen who stabbed Tania Burgess to death while she walked home from school on the Central Coast has been granted parole. It has been nearly 17 years after her murder.</p> <p>The NSW State Parole Authority said intensive supervision of the convicted murderer known as DL, including around the clock electronic monitoring, is critical in keeping the community safe.</p> <p>DL has been in custody since he was 16. He is now 32, and with no period of maturing in the community he is likely "institutionalised", according to an expert report.</p> <p>Tania was only 15 when she hopped off a school bus and walked through the car park of Forresters Beach Resort on the 19th of July 2005. DL caught the same bus, followed her and stabbed her 48 times.</p> <p>As the offence occurred when DL was a minor he cannot be named for legal reasons. He was arrested that evening and was convicted by a jury at trial and jailed for at least 17 years serving a maximum term of 22 years.</p> <p>This was reduced on appeal by four years in 2018, meaning he has been eligible for parole since mid 2018.</p> <p>During a hearing, Justice James Wood extended the parole authority's deepest sympathies to Tania's parents who were present in court.</p> <p>Justice Wood accepted the expert advice from the Serious Offenders Review Council that strongly advised DL should be released with supervision before his full-time sentence expired.</p> <p>This decision to release DL with supervision comes despite vocal objections from the likes of 2GB's Ben Fordham, who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/he-should-never-be-released-ben-fordham-speaks-out-against-killer-s-parole" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said that DL should "never be released"</a>. His release will also come as a shock to the local community.</p> <p>The Serious Offenders Review Council have shared: "The priority is now supervision to foster his reintegration and the protection of the public."</p> <p>DL must provide authorities daily notifications of all his movements and engage with forensic psychologist treatment along with other strict conditions.</p> <p>He is due to be released on August the 1st, 2022.</p> <p><em>Images: Nine Network</em></p>

Legal

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"He should never be released": Ben Fordham speaks out against killer's parole

<p dir="ltr">The heartbroken parents whose teenage daughter was brutally killed by a 16-year-old boy have spoken about her killer potentially being released on parole. </p> <p dir="ltr">Tania Burgess was on her way home from school on the Central Coast on July 19, 2005 when a 16-year-old boy followed and stabbed her 48 times before running off.</p> <p dir="ltr">The school girl named her killer  in her dying moments, who was then found and sentenced to 22 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 17 years. The sentence was appealed and reduced by four years. </p> <p dir="ltr">The killer, known only as DL because he was a minor at the time of the murder, has been eligible for parole since 2018 and this is his last chance of it being granted. </p> <p dir="ltr">Tania’s parents Mandy and Chris spoke to 2GB’s Ben Fordham saying DL’s release would be a “shock”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s hard to comprehend that, first of all, DL has never really admitted any kind of remorse. And yet his time is up. He may be set free,” Mandy said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He will never own the crime that he did. He virtually is unnamed as DL. (He’ll) just wipe 17 years off and start a new life, yet we lost our daughter.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Fordham said the community would “be in danger from this person” as Mandy reflected on what her daughter’s life may have been.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You can only dream what kind of life she might have had,” she continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was such a beautiful, caring, loving teenager. She could have maybe become a nurse, or some kind of health community worker. It’s hard to say. She loved her ballet. She might have been a ballerina.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You can only let your imagination run really wild. But she was taken away from us. She was just a girl. She was just starting to bloom at 15. She was stolen.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I try to block out those horrible images of what we saw that day, and remember Tania for who she was. Not what we saw, not what he did, but for what she was at the time. She was a beautiful, loving, caring girl, just starting her life.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“The reality is that he should never be released,” Fordham responded.</p> <p dir="ltr">DL’s case has two options - either he is granted supervised parole, or he can walk free at the end of his sentence without supervision.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mandy said it would probably be better that DL be monitored to see what he’s like in public saying it would be “frightening” to know if he was out there not being supervised. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

Legal

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“They caught it just in time”: Burgo opens up on health scare

<p>Australian TV legend John Burgess has opened up about his battle with an illness that he claims "came out of nowhere". </p> <p>After experiencing an unusual range of symptoms, John discovered he had sepsis. </p> <p>"I kept passing out and I felt very unwell. It all happened very quickly in the space of a day or two. As soon as I was rushed to hospital they did a blood test and discovered I had sepsis," Burgess told <em>A Current Affair</em>. </p> <p>"They caught it just in time. Any longer and my organs would have started to shut down."</p> <p>John was treated with strong antibiotics and despite having a severe reaction to the medication, he bounced back from the dangerous infection.</p> <p>"Sepsis can kill you in no time. I was lucky. It is a bacterial infection and we still don't know how I got it, but thankfully doctors were on to it straight away," he said.</p> <p>While his initial recovery from the infection went smoothly, doctors told him it could be up to six months until he really starts to feel like his old self again. </p> <p>Despite still being on his recovery journey, Baby John is now back on air at his beloved 6iX radio station in Perth, doing what he loves.</p> <p>"But a few weeks ago I was unsure if I'd ever be back," he said.</p> <p>John has started a new role as an ambassador for Sepsis Australia in order to shine a light on the terrifying illness and make more Aussies aware of the early signs of infection. </p> <p>He has also been touched by the amount of support he has received from the public while on his road to recovery. </p> <p>"I'm a disc jockey and a game show host but apparently I've touched quite a few people over the years," he said.</p> <p>"It's been a long time, but nice to know they care about you."</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

Caring

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Baby John Burgess gives health update from hospital

<p>Australian TV legend and former game show host "Baby" John Burgess has updated his fans after a health scare saw him rushed to hospital last week. </p><p>The 78-year-old was admitted to intensive care in a Perth hospital last Thursday with a "serious bacterial infection". </p><p>John took to Twitter on Saturday to apologise to his followers for not making his usual "Thank God It's Friday" joke, while providing an update on his condition. </p><p>"Sorry I couldn’t TGIF everybody; I am in Royal Perth Hospital with a serious bacterial infection leading to blood poisoning but the good folk here have got me on the road to recovery lets talk next week (TGIS)," he said.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sorry I couldn’t TGIF everybody; I am in Royal Perth Hospital with a serious bacterial infection leading to blood poisoning but the good folk here have got me on the road to recovery lets talk next week (TGIS)</p>— John Burgess (@thejohnburgess) <a href="https://twitter.com/thejohnburgess/status/1489866347236388865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2022</a></blockquote><p>John's manager Evan Broadway told The West Australian newspaper that Burgess was keen to get back to work as a radio announcer for a Perth station. </p><p><span style="font-size: 16px">“He wanted to work Saturday, and we said, ‘Nah mate have the weekend off, just take the day off',” Mr Broadway said.</span></p><p>“But that’s just how loyal he is to his listeners.”</p><p>John is best known for hosting popular game shows such as <em>Wheel of Fortune</em> and <em>Burgo's Catchphrase</em>. </p><p>When news about his illness first broke, fans were quick to share their messages of support online. </p><p><em>Image credits: Twitter @thejohnburgess</em></p>

Caring

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Emotions run high as SAS Australia winner crowned

<p dir="ltr">The finale of<span> </span><em>SAS Australia</em><span> </span>proved to be the most gruelling challenge contestants faced, with NRL star Sam Burgess becoming the only recruit to pass the final challenge.</p> <p dir="ltr">After five celebrity recruits made it to the finale and only three remained for the final test, Burgess was crowned the winner.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Home and Away</em><span> </span>actor Dan Ewing was the first to be booted off the show after believing a debriefing with the directing staff was part of the previous hostage challenge.</p> <p dir="ltr">Then, in the second challenge, recruits were tasked with completing a physical exercise on the ground before escaping to safety by hanging from a helicopter extraction rope.</p> <p dir="ltr">Olympian Jana Pittman struggled to complete the challenge, making it to the helicopter just in time despite being barely able to walk.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844772/sas-finale1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ac8d7390a5b4473fb72e65bca77934b8" /></p> <p dir="ltr">She was cut from the show, as the directing staff could only allow three recruits to move to the next stage.</p> <p dir="ltr">The remaining three - Burgess, sprinter John Steffensen, and tennis star Mark Philippoussis - completed the difficult task of hanging from a rope suspended over a gorge for 90 seconds.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844774/sas-finale3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8a2b69db1fc94c2aa4492595a958c55c" /></p> <p dir="ltr">But, the directing staff said completing the task didn’t necessarily mean they passed it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re not looking for brawn, we’re not looking for brain, we’re looking for a combination of both,” Ant Middleton<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/entertainment/sam-burgess-the-only-celebrity-to-pass-sas-australia-selection-two-others-complete-course/news-story/ec7e7327c15d329db36588793c22ca50" target="_blank">said</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">After telling Steffensen and Philippoussis to step back, Middleton announced that Burgess was the only one to pass.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You two, just that one percent that lacked,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Amazing effort from both of you, you completed the course but only 16 (Burgess) passed the course. Number 16, you were just that level ahead.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844773/sas-finale2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/935d9a6801c34eb09fbaf3a2d6664d74" /></p> <p dir="ltr">Following his victory, Burgess shared an emotional post on Instagram where he shared how the show had helped him reveal who he truly was.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When I agreed to do this course I set myself two simple goals: be totally honest with myself, and complete the course,” he wrote, alongside a series of snaps from the show.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU7Wi3_vfAb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU7Wi3_vfAb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sam Burgess (@samburgess8)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Throughout the experience, I grew enormously through pain and discomfort, through joy and teamwork, through fatigue and food deprivation but most of all by being vulnerable enough to share this, become better at understanding myself and in turn reveal true character.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: SAS Australia / Channel 7</em></p>

TV

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Sam Burgess' huge SAS Australia salary revealed

<p><em>Image: SAS Australia </em></p> <p>The massive range of salaries for the 2021 SAS Australia cast have been revealed.</p> <p>According to The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, former footballer Sam Burgess has the highest pay day, earning between $150,000 and $200,000 for his appearance on the brutal program, the paper claims.</p> <p>Next in line is tennis player Mark Philippoussis, 44, who is said to be earning $100,000.</p> <p>Model Erin Holland, 32, is earning between $60,000 and $80,000 while footballer Heath Shaw, 35, actress Isabelle Cornish, 27, and athlete John Steffensen, 39, tennis player Alicia Molik, 38, are on around the same amount.</p> <p>In the next rung, singer Pete Murrary, 51, athlete Jana Pittmann, 38, actor Dan Ewing, 36, runner Jessica Peris, 31, ironman Jett Kenny, 27, volleyball player Kerri Pottharst, 56, and socialite Brynne Edelsten are estimated to be being paid between $50,000 and $70,000.</p> <p>Bringing in a little less is former pro surfer Koby Abberton, 42, who is getting between $50,000 and $60,000.</p> <p>At the very bottom of the ladder is former Australian Labor Party member Emma Husar, 41, who is earning just $25,000.</p> <p>Meanwhile Manu Feildel, 47, will go without a pay day because his appearance is likely part of his contract at Channel Seven.</p> <p>This comes after news that retired cricketer Michael Clarke ‘pulled out’ of the next season of SAS Australia due to a back injury.</p> <p>Reportedly, the 40-year-old backed out of the Channel Seven Show shortly after the premiere of the current season.</p> <p>The Daily Telegraph reported that Clarke initially signed up for the military-style show with a $750,000 asking fee and had already signed a contract.</p> <p>Season three is due to begin filming in just weeks, but Clarke, who has suffered chronic back pain throughout his sporting career, pulled the pin after seeking medical advice and treatment.</p>

Money & Banking

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Meet the British woman tipped to replace Indiana Jones

<p>Rumour has it British actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge may replace Harrison Ford as lead in the fifth<span> </span><em>Indiana Jones</em><span> </span>movie.</p> <p>The Fleabag star is tipped to step into Ford’s shoes and take the lead in the next upcoming instalment of the popular franchise, which is set to hit cinemas next year.</p> <p>According to the<span> </span><em>Daily Mail,<span> </span></em>Hollywood producer Kathleen Kennedy – the bigwig behind the franchise is looking to make “Big, Bold” changes and that could mean replacing the lead character with a woman.</p> <p>“It would be a huge statement, and a great role for Phoebe”, the source said of Waller-Bridge, winner of multiple awards for her starring role in British comedy<span> </span><em>Fleabag.</em></p> <p>Should the 36-year-old actress take the lead, it would make her the first ever female lead since the first movie,<span> </span><em>Raiders Of The Lost Ark,<span> </span></em>which premiered in 1981<em>.</em> Although it remains unclear who Phoebe will portray in the upcoming movie.</p> <p><em>“The gossip on set is that this character will slot into the leading role” </em>said the source.</p> <p><em>During an interview in 2019 on the<span> </span></em><em>US Today Show,<span> </span></em><em>Ford – who played the iconic role in all four previous films – said there’s really no replacing his character, per se.</em></p> <p><em>“Nobody else is gonna be Indiana Jones! Don’t you get it? I’m Indiana Jones. When I’m gone, he’s gone. It’s easy” the 79-year-old said, before joking, “This is a hell of a way to tell Chris Pine this”.<span> </span></em>This was said at the time surrounding rumours Pine was set to be the new Indiana Jones.</p>

Movies

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“I felt like a loser”: Sam Burgess spills on cheating scandal

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NRL star Sam Burgess has admitted to having an affair during his four-year marriage to Phoebe, with the details to be revealed on Monday night’s episode of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">SAS Australia</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The retired Souths captain has <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/former-nrl-star-sam-burgess-bombshell-cheating-confession-on-sas-australia/news-story/e2228fa0f76c9c04044d0b34ccaad7c2" target="_blank">finally spoken out</a> about the incident, three years after becoming embroiled in a sexting scandal with a Melbourne woman who alleged he had cheated on Phoebe with her in 2017.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The last 18 months I felt like a loser, my marriage broke down, I had just retired from sport, my ex-father in law had taken out an AVO against me, and whether you like it or not, losing can become a habit, so I’m here because I want to show myself I can still be a winner,” Burgess says on the show.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTT9fS0P7y8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTT9fS0P7y8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sam Burgess (@samburgess8)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The identity of Burgess’ mistress has never been made public.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Burgess and Phoebe ended their marriage following the scandal and three weeks after their second child was born.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After briefly reconciling in 2019, the couple ended their relationship again that same year.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843971/0449a964731e489d1fb3981bbf290243.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ebdc4c23d7a945d69350afcbba190e72" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: SAS Australia</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Burgess is one of 18 recruits set to appear on the second season of Channel 7’s </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">SAS Australia</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which promises to be filled with drama.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Producers are hoping to outdo the success of the previous season, with a controversial tear gas stunt and a recruit getting caught cheating among some of the dramas.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The recruits will be tested by former Special Forces soldiers Mark ‘Billy’ Birmingham, Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox, Ollie Ollerton, and chief instructor Ant Middleton.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other recruits include </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Neighbours </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">actor Bonnie Anderson, Bra Boy gang member Koby Abberton, model Erin Holland, retired tennis player Mark Philippoussis, and former Labor politician Emma Husar.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

News

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Sam Burgess choked out SAS instructor during challenge

<p>Claims have been made that former NRL star Sam Burgess choked out an instructor during the filming of <em>SAS Australia.</em></p> <p>Reports say Burgess, who is one of 18 celebrities who will appear on the second season of <em>SAS Australia,</em> choked an instructor during an “intense” kidnapping exercise.</p> <p>According to Fox Sports, one of the challenges on the show saw Burgess along with seven other celebrities being “kidnapped” by two <em>SAS</em> instructors.</p> <p>“Sam took matters into his own hands, ordering [John] Steffensen to pull the handbrake,” <em>Fox Sports’</em> James Hooper claimed.</p> <p>“Burgess reached over and put the soldier in a head lock, choking him out, before climbing in to the driver’s seat and taking the wheel.”</p> <p>Reports say the point of the exercise was to see which of the other contestants would step up and set the other hostages free after they were thrown in as car that was driven up to speeds of 100km/h.</p> <p>Hooper says <em>SAS</em> instructors and producers were left “dumbfounded”.</p> <p>The ambulance was reportedly called.</p> <p>A Channel 7 spokesperson said: “The new season of <em>SAS Australia</em>, coming soon to Channel 7 and 7plus, is the most gruelling course in the world to date.</p> <p>“All participants will be pushed to their limits like never before.”</p> <p>The Burgess report follow after <em>SAS Australia</em> chief instructor, Ant Middleton, admitted Kyle and Jackie O that the cast from season two pushed his buttons.</p> <p>“There’s been some tears, there’s been aggression,” Middleton said on KIIS FM in May.</p> <p>“But I shut them down straight away.</p> <p>“You get a different setting, a different group of people and personalities and it’s gonna be a different show, but a lot of people still pushed my buttons,” he said.</p>

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CCTV shows Sam Burgess drinking beers before alleged altercation with father-in-law

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>New CCTV footage shows former NRL star Sam Burgess cheerfully posing with fans and knocking back four beers before an alleged highly-charged confrontation with his former father-in-law.</p> <p>Mitchell Hooke called Burgess "wild" and "crazy" and has accused him of threatening to hit him during a confrontation at his home last year.</p> <p>Burgess appeared in Moss Vale Local Court having pleaded not guilty to one count of intimidation and another charge of common assault relating to an alleged verbal spat on October 19th, 2019.</p> <p>Burgess also has an apprehended violence order against him from the family.</p> <p>He has since denied the allegations and made counter-claims against his former father-in-law with Burgess' lawyers arguing that Hooke had threatened to ruin Burgess' career and reputation.</p> <p>CCTV played to the court showed Mr Burgess drinking with patrons at the Royal Hotel at Bowral on the afternoon of the alleged incident.</p> <p>The alleged argument took place when Burgess was meant to have a two-hour visit at the home.</p> <p>Hooke's daughter Phoebe Burgess, who had recently split from Burgess, said she was not present during his visit and was meant to arrive after he left at 4 pm.</p> <p>However, a distressing phone call from her father prompted her to return to the property early, where Hooke explained that Burgess had unleashed a tirade of abuse during which he threatened to punch him.</p> <p>Phoebe then called the Moss Vale Police Station before making a triple-0 call.</p> <p>“Look I’m just a bit shaken up, I’m just going through, uh, my husband and I are going through a bit of a separation at the moment
 He has threatened and abused my father,” she was heard saying in the phone call during which she became tearful on several occasions.</p> <p>She added: “It’s Sam Burgess, so it can’t be made public but I just need to report it cause he’s still in the area and he’s really angry.”</p> <p>She told the operator that no one had been harmed, saying: “I promise we’re all fine, I just know that, I’ve got lawyers for that exact reason.”</p> <p>She went on to claim that Mr Burgess had previously abused her in a similar fashion.</p> <p>“He’s done this to me too, he’s done this to me,” she said.</p> <p>Phoebe and her father made unrelated domestic violence and drug allegations in statements which were handed to police earlier in the year, which were denied by Burgess himself.</p> <p>The allegations were published in <em>The Australian</em> last month, and when asked why Phoebe went public, she said she didn't want to be a part of a "cover up'".</p> <p>“The Australian publication approached me about certain matters, rumours that had been circulating,” Ms Burgess told the court.</p> <p>“Instead of covering up, which is so typical of the system that I was part of, which I believe is toxic in the NRL, I decided to hand over the documents that I had prepared for my lawyers, prepared over time... I gave it to what I felt like was a trustworthy publication and not covering up and contributing to a system that I believe failed myself ... and failed Sam Burgess.”</p> <p>Mr Hooke told the court that Burgess had unleashed a verbal tirade against him, telling him: “F*** you, you’re a piece of s***, you’re just like your daughter, you’re a piece of s***” and “I’m going to hit you.”</p> <p>Mr Hooke said he was “terrified”, he “went cold” and never felt so scared in his life as Mr Burgess “towered” over him.</p> <p>“I was resigned to getting hit, I had absolutely no doubt,” Mr Hooke told the court.</p> <p>“His eyes were wild, they were crazy eyes, his face was red. I have never been threatened like that in my life.”</p> <p>The hearing will conclude in January.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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