Retired AFL star Jimmy Bartel was spotted in public for the first time at Sydney Airport on Thursday since his split with his wife of five years, Nadia, was made public.
The 35-year-old looked downcast as he tried to dodge the photographer at the domestic terminal and refused to answer any questions about Lauren Mand, who he is said to be in a “long-term relationship” with.
WATCH: Jimmy Bartel seen publicly for first time after marriage breakup
“How long have you known Lauren Mand for?” the thorough pap asked.
“Are there any other women involved in this scandal, Jimmy?”
But Jimmy just kept on walking.
Meanwhile, a devastated Nadia put on a brave face as she made her first public appearance yesterday at an engagement promoting women in Melbourne.
The influencer took to the stage where she spoke about how “time poor” she is as she alluded to raising their two boys as a single mum.
Nadia also shared an image of her from the Mercedes event wearing a chic, lemon two-piece knit captioning it with a less than subtle message about how women have supported her following the news that Jimmy has taken up with WAG wannabe, Lauren Mand.
“Thank you Mercedes Benz for having me at your Women Driving Change event, it was great to be a part of it. The energy in the room, women can do it all!”
She was supported in her post, by numerous, high-profile locals.
Steph Claire Smith wrote: “Absolutely [women] can!”
Emma Hawkins, wife of Geelong Cats’ Tom Hawkins, added: “Yeaahhhhh girl! There you are!!!! Leading by example!”
Lana Wilkinson added: “There she is, gorgeous Nards.”
While Queen WAG, Bec Judd, sent her BFF a number of supportive emojis.
It comes on the same day as a shellshocked Nadia is reportedly “bracing herself” for a flood of humiliating new revelations about her estranged husband Jimmy’s alleged antics, amid reports of apparently lurid text messages from “multiple people”.
According to the Herald Sun’s Page 13, Nadia is cringing at the thought that more dirt is coming and she’ll have to shield her two young sons from the fallout. Now the paper says “many of Nadia’s friends” are speaking out.
“As is oft the case with a messy split with other parties involved, Nadia’s friends are fuming for their bestie and looking for blood,” the paper reports.
“Gobsmacked at what they call a horrible betrayal, they have told Page 13 Nadia is bracing herself for even more women to emerge.”
Amid the dirt that is already coming to the surface, there are now claims that Lauren Mand is only the first spotlight-loving beauty headed for the headlines.
“Friends say Nadia has been getting messages that Lauren has long been referring to Jimmy as her boyfriend and wanted news of their relationship to hit the headlines,” the paper reports.
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