Jimmy Bartel, 35, has been spotted for the first time since his split with wife of five years Nadia, 34.
The retired AFL star stepped out without his wedding band while taking his two children to the pool at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Thursday.
He looked downcast and tired, with visible bags under his usually bright eyes following his separation from Nadia.
Family outing: Jimmy Bartel stepped out without his wedding band on while taking his two children to the pool at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Thursday following his split from Nadia
Jimmy carried his eldest son Aston, three, on his shoulders, while wheeling baby Henley Roy in a pram.
The doting dad protectively held onto Aston’s hand to ensure that the little tyke was safe and secure atop his shoulders.
The AFL icon’s outing comes after an insider told the Herald Sun on Thursday that Jimmy and Nadia have parted ways, however, details surrounding the split have not been made public.
What went wrong? Details surrounding their split have not been made public. Pictured in June
Is everything okay? The 35-year-old looked downcast and tired, with visible bags under his usually bright eyes
Late night? Late night? Despite being an ambassador for a men’s skincare line, he looked less fresh than usual
Weight of the world: Jimmy carried his eldest, son Aston, three, on his shoulders, while wheeling baby Henley Roy in a pram
The Melbourne couple sparked breakup rumours earlier this week after abruptly unfollowing each other on Instagram.
The pair, who welcomed their second child Henley in October last year, haven’t been pictured together on social media since June.
The former Geelong player looked ‘solemn and withdrawn’ while keeping a low profile at the family home in Melbourne this week, according to a source.
Meanwhile, fashion blogger Nadia is believed to be out of town on business.
Protective: The doting dad protectively held onto Aston’s hand to ensure that the little tyke was safe and secure atop his shoulders
He can do it all! Jimmy balanced one child on his shoulders while pushing the other in a pram
That’s not a football! The AFL legend had a colorful soccer ball stashed inside the pram
Keeping an eye out: Jimmy scanned his surroundings as he took his children to the pool
When approached by Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Jimmy declined to comment.
Nadia, who has been spotted without her huge round-cut wedding ring in recent weeks, shared a cryptic post to Instagram on Thursday morning but did not directly address split talk.
She posted a wise quote that read: ‘People who resonate with your energy will always be there. Y’all are on the same frequency, you are aligned together. It’s a soul family. Know your members.’
She added the caption: ‘You all know who you are’ along with a kiss emoji.
Safety first: After looking around for cars, Jimmy decided that it was safe to cross the road using the zebra crossing
Who needs Nadia? Jimmy’s family outing comes just days after rumours swirled that he’s split with his wife of five years, fashion blogger Nadia Bartel
Nadia last posted a picture of her husband to Instagram on June 2, when they attended a glamorous wedding together in Melbourne.
The mother-of-two first met Jimmy at the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix in 2008.
He proposed in 2012 on a private beach in Mexico, with a simple diamond wedding band.
Just the three of us: Despite his weary demeanor, the doting father seemed content to have his children by his side
Hairy situation! To keep his balance, little Aston clutched onto his father’s dark hair
However, Nadia later picked out a more lavish ring featuring a huge round-cut solitaire diamond upon returning to Australia.
They tied the knot in an elaborate wedding on the Bellarine Peninsula in 2014.
They welcomed their first son Aston in November 2015, and their second son Henley in October 2018.
Happy family? Jimmy and Nadia welcomed their first son Aston in November 2015, and their second son Henley in October 2018