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Erica Packer’s idyllic, 18-month romance with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett is over, ending another chapter in the model’s turbulent love life. The couple, who seemed blissfully happy blending their combined nine children, reportedly split earlier this year. Friends tell New Idea “their mostly long-distance relationship became too difficult”. Erica, 47, and the three children she shares with ex-husband James Packer – daughters Indigo and Emmanuelle and son Jackson – have been living in London since 2023 to be closer to her sister. Meanwhile, dad-of-six Shannon, 49, is based in Byron Bay, NSW. “Erica adores Shannon,” explains the source. “She’s heartbroken, the whole family is. But it was too difficult being alone for such long periods of time. The situation was going nowhere, and without a resolution over the New Year…

It looks like Joe Manganiello has a type! The actor was recently spotted in Sicily with his actress girlfriend Caitlin O’Connor – who is the spitting image of his ex-wife Sofía Vergara. And Caitlin, 34, could soon become the next Mrs Manganiello, as she was spotted wearing a diamond sparkler on her ring finger during the Italian getaway! Joe, 48, and Sofía, who turns 53 this week, were married for seven years before splitting in 2023. Later that year, he started dating Caitlin. It’s believed Joe and Sofía’s split was caused by their difficulty in starting a family, and Sofía ultimately deciding she did not want another child. She is already mum to adult son Manolo. “They did try, but when it didn’t happen it was the start of the…

Muster Dogs star Frank Finger is mourning two tragic losses. His wife of 47 years Cathy passed away on June 25, then, just two days later, the cattle farmer also lost his “lovely dog” Annie. Frank and Annie were crowned champions of the first season of ABC’s Muster Dogsseries in 2022, and Frank has since said he believes Annie somehow knew that Cathy had passed away. “I think Annie’s death was brought on by Cathy – she hadn’t been the same since,” brave Frank said of the double loss. “Since Cathy died, she’s just lived in her crate with the door open, and she didn’t come out to meet anyone. She could feel that we were unsettled and unhappy, so she was fretting.” Annie was just five years old when…

She found fame on the soap opera Neighbours, and Holly Valance’s real life has taken a dramatic turn. It’s been revealed that Holly and her British billionaire husband, Nick Candy, are divorcing after 13 years of marriage. The former couple live in London and share two young daughters. “This has been a very difficult period for both Holly and Nick,” a friend told The Sun newspaper. What could potentially prove more difficult is that it’s not widely known if Holly, 42, and Nick, 52, had a prenuptial agreement in place. Nick, a businessman and politician, is worth an eye-watering $3 billion. While it would be unlikely that Holly hadn’t signed a financial agreement when she wed Nick in 2012, more than a decade later, a legal source tells New Idea…

Despite being spotted out together on a cosy coastal stroll in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs recently, Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has shut down any talk that she is dating ex-NRL player Adam Muir. After being probed by Ally Langdon, who was appearing as a guest onThe Kyle & Jackie O Show, about a relationship with Adam, Jackie, 50, firmly told both theParental Guidancestar and her radio co-host, Kyle Sandilands, “I’m still single … I’m coasting”. If you say so, Jackie!…

Actress Julie Bowen has revealed she’s been living with a pacemaker since she was just 29 years old. The Modern Family star shared details about her health crisis on a new episode of the Inside of You podcast. Julie, 55, had the procedure after being diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome – by her sister, who had just graduated from medical school – which can cause low resting heart rate. “I was like, my life is over,” Julie said of the diagnosis. At the time, Julie’s only symptom was lightheadedness. Thankfully, the now mum of three has enjoyed good health since.…

Aussie singing legend John Farnham is officially reporting for grandpa duty! The singer’s youngest son, James, and his partner, Dr Tessa Effendi, announced the birth of their son – and John’s first grandchild – on July 1. “Jett John Farnham was born at 5.26pm on Wednesday June 18th at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Melbourne, weighing 3.176kgs,” an announcement, released by the couple, read. An elated John, who is known as ‘Pa’ to Jett, and his wife of 52 years, Jill, shared their joy at becoming first-time grandparents. “We are over the moon about the arrival of this perfectly beautiful little boy,” they said. “He’s already filled our hearts with so much love and we’re so proud and happy for James and Tessa!” In a special move, James and Tessa…

As the man responsible for one of Australia’s most notorious murders, Bradley John Murdoch knows where the body of Peter Falconio is buried. Despite pleas from Peter’s family and the police, he’s maintained a stony silence for more than two decades, refusing to discuss what happened when he killed the British backpacker, and attempted to kidnap his girlfriend Joanne Lees in the Northern Territory outback in 2001. Now, on his deathbed in Alice Springs, having recently been taken from prison to palliative care where he’s dying of throat cancer, there’s claims he will make an “explosive” declaration in his final days. While it’s believed Murdoch, 67, will maintain his innocence, true-crime author Robin Bowles says she knows what his last words will be. “I know what they are, and they…

After five years of drama, the Prince of Wales has had enough of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s attacks on the royal family. So much so, New Idea has learnt that Prince William is set to issue his brother, Prince Harry, with some final words of warning: “Divorce is your only way back.” “The reality is, as long as Meghan is around, William won’t entertain the possibility of making peace with Harry,” our insider reveals. “It would only work if she was long gone from Harry’s life – end of story.” Behind the scenes, William, 43, is thought to be considering taking the necessary steps to remove the titles of the Sussex children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, when he becomes King. “He’s already signalled that he hopes to…