'It's been hard': Son spills beans on Wally Lewis marriage split
Australian actor Lincoln Lewis has shed more light on the marriage breakdown between his famous father Wally Lewis and mother, Jacqui.
League Immortal Lewis announced in February that he had split from his wife after 36 years of marriage, in a move that has rocked the family.
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Wally and Jacqui have three children together - Mitchell, Lincoln and Jamie-Lee.
In March, Wally was spotted with new girlfriend Lynda Adams for the first time since his marriage breakdown was made public.
Lewis and Adams were photographed on a Townsville balcony together, with the rugby league legend wearing a bath robe and holding a beer.
In The Sunday Mail: Wally Lewis relaxes with new love as family war heats up; How Rocky's Cameron Munster built #nrl empire pic.twitter.com/vcb8c8k1Q6
— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) March 6, 2021
In February, Channel Nine - where Wally Lewis works as a sports presenter - released a statement confirming that his 36-year marriage was over.
“Wally and Jacqui Lewis separated last year after 36 years of marriage,” a statement released by Channel Nine read.
“It has been a difficult time for everyone in the family and they are still working through the details of the separation.”
Wally's son - former Home and Away actor Lincoln - confessed on the The Anj, Rob & Robbo Show that the messy situation has been made even harder by the fact it's playing out "in the public eye".
“It’s been hard on everyone obviously, and anyone who goes through stuff … it’s obviously going to be hard,” Lincoln said on Thursday.
“You’re going through things in the public eye and that comes with the territory.
“We’ve all banded together, we’re a tight family unit. She’s got some amazing friends around her. That’s the thing that gets anyone through (difficult times).”
The Aussie actor has reportedly not been speaking to his famous father after the marriage split, despite previously enjoying a close bond with the league great.
Lincoln told Nine before the marriage breakdown: “I think everyone in the rugby league community of Queensland has seen what he (Wally) can do on the footy field. But that kind of determination on the footy field, he applies to all aspects of his life.
“And that determination is pretty bloody strong, let me tell you. From somebody who tried to tackle him a couple of years ago and was left with the two-day headache — the old boy doesn’t go down without a fight. So I love that fighting spirit in him.
“His whole life, dad has been in the public eye. And my brother is in radio and I do the film and television thing. So when we actually do stuff, we are so chill.
“At the end of the day, we really enjoy each other’s company. Just being together, especially with COVID, is special."
Wally Lewis denies affair rumours
The 61-year-old Lewis addressed his marriage breakdown earlier in the year after confirming his new relationship and asking for his privacy to be respected.
“This is a deeply personal matter that we do not want to discuss publicly, but I want to acknowledge the pain and upset my family has gone through since Jacqui and I separated last year,” Lewis said.
“I hope over time we can rebuild our ties and move on with life.
“I will confirm I am now in another relationship and only ask for the media to respect our privacy.”
The Courier Mail published explosive claims that Lewis was seeing Adams for years before his marriage ended - allegations that Lewis denies.
The Queensland State of Origin icon allegedly maintained the affair for several years, which continued even after he was confronted about it by Jacqui.
The Courier Mail claims the couple’s three children are furious with their father, with Lincoln reportedly refusing to speak to Lewis.
“I have been at pains to say that our family as much as we are public figures ask that our privacy at this sad time be respected,” Lewis told the newspaper via text message.
“We cannot control gossip but we know the true facts and much of this is simply not true.
“I will not be making any comments about this very private and sensitive matter.”
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