Jackie O’s estranged husband Lee Henderson looks downcast after split

Jackie O’s estranged husband Lee Henderson was spotted outside the former couple’s marital home in Vaucluse, Sydney on Friday morning, just hours after it emerged they had split.

The British photographer, who is in his early forties, looked downcast in a grey T-shirt and jeans while taking his seven-year-old daughter Kitty to school.

The sighting followed Lee and Jackie’s shock announcement overnight that they had mutually decided to separate after 18 years together.

 

Moving on: Jackie O’s estranged husband Lee Henderson looked downcast while taking his daughter to school on Friday morning. Pictured outside the couple’s marital home in Vaucluse

Lee, who wore dark sunglasses and appeared unshaven, put on a brave face as he clutched Kitty’s school backpack and walked towards his car.

After taking his daughter to school and returning home, he was seen taking in his empty waste and recycling bins.

The martial arts enthusiast showed off his muscular biceps while lifting the containers from the sidewalk and over his white picket fence.

Casually dressed and deep in thought: The British photographer, who is in his early forties, looked downcast in a grey T-shirt and jeans

Casually dressed and deep in thought: The British photographer, who is in his early forties, looked downcast in a grey T-shirt and jeans

Casually dressed and deep in thought: The British photographer, who is in his early forties, looked downcast in a grey T-shirt and jeans

Daddy duties: Lee, who wore dark sunglasses and appeared unshaven, put on a brave face as he clutched Kitty's school backpack and walked towards his car

Daddy duties: Lee, who wore dark sunglasses and appeared unshaven, put on a brave face as he clutched Kitty’s school backpack and walked towards his car

Chores: After taking his daughter to school and returning home, Lee was seen taking in his empty waste and recycling bins

Chores: After taking his daughter to school and returning home, Lee was seen taking in his empty waste and recycling bins

The sighting came shortly after Jackie addressed her and Lee’s shock split on her  KIIS FM breakfast show on Friday morning.

At around 8:30am, the 43-year-old said on air: ‘Lee and I, we decided to separate.’

‘It’s not a decision we took lightly at all,’ she added. ‘We have been so lucky that our separation has been extremely amicable. And I know everyone says that, but we actually have remained really good friends throughout all this.’

He's been working out! The martial arts enthusiast showed off his muscular biceps while lifting the containers from the sidewalk and over his white picket fence

He's been working out! The martial arts enthusiast showed off his muscular biceps while lifting the containers from the sidewalk and over his white picket fence

He’s been working out! The martial arts enthusiast showed off his muscular biceps while lifting the containers from the sidewalk and over his white picket fence

Continuing as normal? While Jackie has suggested that she and Lee are living apart following their separation, he was present at their marital home on Friday morning

Continuing as normal? While Jackie has suggested that she and Lee are living apart following their separation, he was present at their marital home on Friday morning

Co-parents: Both Jackie and Lee have made it clear they are committed to raising their daughter in a loving and supportive environment despite their separation

Co-parents: Both Jackie and Lee have made it clear they are committed to raising their daughter in a loving and supportive environment despite their separation

Co-parents: Both Jackie and Lee have made it clear they are committed to raising their daughter in a loving and supportive environment despite their separation

Splitsville: The sighting came shortly after Jackie (right) addressed her and Lee's shock split on her KIIS FM breakfast show on Friday morning. Pictured with their daughter Kitty

Splitsville: The sighting came shortly after Jackie (right) addressed her and Lee’s shock split on her KIIS FM breakfast show on Friday morning. Pictured with their daughter Kitty

Jackie added that they still ‘talk everyday on the phone’ and ‘hang out as a family’ with their seven-year-old daughter Kitty, who is coping well amid the separation.

She explained the break-up ‘didn’t happen overnight’ for the couple, who tied the knot in 2003, and that they have been separated ‘for quite some time now’.

The media personality said that it was a ‘miracle’ they were able to keep the news a secret, adding that they wanted it to stay private ‘for as long as [they] possibly could’.

It's over! Jackie explained the break-up 'didn't happen overnight' for the couple, who tied the knot in 2003, and that they have been separated 'for quite some time now'. Pictured with Lee

It’s over! Jackie explained the break-up ‘didn’t happen overnight’ for the couple, who tied the knot in 2003, and that they have been separated ‘for quite some time now’. Pictured with Lee

Jackie claimed she and Lee are determined to keep their split amicable for their daughter’s sake and is ‘proud’ of how they’ve managed to stay civil with each other.

‘We want [Kitty] to be part of a loving family,’ she said. 

In a rather surprising admission, her co-host Kyle Sandilands confessed he broke down in tears on Thursday after Jackie spoke to him about her marriage split.

‘I cried yesterday, didn’t I? I didn’t mean to upset you,’ he said, adding that he had known about the separation ‘for a while’.

'I cried yesterday, didn't I?' In a rather surprising admission, Jackie's co-host Kyle Sandilands (left) confessed he broke down in tears on Thursday after she spoke to him about her marriage split. Pictured together in Brisbane on October 12, 2013

‘I cried yesterday, didn’t I?’ In a rather surprising admission, Jackie’s co-host Kyle Sandilands (left) confessed he broke down in tears on Thursday after she spoke to him about her marriage split. Pictured together in Brisbane on October 12, 2013

It was the first time that Jackie had acknowledged her break-up during the program, which began at 6am on Friday.

In the previous two-and-a-half hours, her separation was not referenced on air during the show’s usual segments.

Jackie and Lee confirmed their split on Friday, after 18 years together.

Co-parents: Jackie and Lee confirmed their separation on Friday, after 18 years together. In a statement, the radio announcer told Daily Mail Australia their 'focus' going forward is on their daughter Kitty, seven

Co-parents: Jackie and Lee confirmed their separation on Friday, after 18 years together. In a statement, the radio announcer told Daily Mail Australia their ‘focus’ going forward is on their daughter Kitty, seven

In a statement, the radio announcer told Daily Mail Australia their ‘focus’ going forward is on their daughter Kitty, seven.

‘After 18 years together, we have made the decision to separate. We do so amicably, sharing many incredible memories and remaining best friends,’ she said.

‘Our focus for this next chapter is of course our wonderful daughter and continuing to provide her love and happiness, together.’

The Daily Telegraph reported overnight that the pair split ‘some time ago’ and noted that the mother-of-one skipped the ACRAs last weekend due to ‘family reasons’. 

Sad: The Daily Telegraph reported overnight that the pair split 'some time ago' and noted that the mother-of-one skipped the ACRAs last weekend due to 'family reasons'

Sad: The Daily Telegraph reported overnight that the pair split ‘some time ago’ and noted that the mother-of-one skipped the ACRAs last weekend due to ‘family reasons’

It comes after Jackie shared a picture of herself with Lee and Kitty on Instagram, just five days ago.

She captioned the snap, ‘Family,’ adding a love heart emoji and tagging Lee. 

In July, the family enjoyed a holiday at one of their favourite spots, the exclusive Kokomo Private Island resort in Fiji, where rooms average $4,500 a night.

The getaway may have been a ‘make or break’ holiday for the couple.

During their trip, Jackie shared several bikini-clad photos of herself taken by photographer Lee, leading fans to believe their relationship was in a good place.

The family certainly lived it up during their island getaway, with their villa featuring a private pool and a backyard overlooking a white sand beach.

What went wrong? In July, the family enjoyed a holiday at one of their favourite spots, the exclusive Kokomo Private Island resort in Fiji, where rooms average $4,500 a night

What went wrong? In July, the family enjoyed a holiday at one of their favourite spots, the exclusive Kokomo Private Island resort in Fiji, where rooms average $4,500 a night

The couple married in 2003, after meeting at a bar while Englishman Lee was backpacking around Australia.

They first crossed paths on March 18, 2000, when Jackie was 25 years old and spotted her future husband at a bar in Sydney.

‘We were about to leave, and it’s like everything around me went quiet and the whole room came to a standstill. I saw gorgeous Lee across the room,’ she said last year.

Their story: Jackie and Lee married in 2003, after meeting at a bar while Englishman Lee was backpacking around Australia. Pictured together in 2010

Their story: Jackie and Lee married in 2003, after meeting at a bar while Englishman Lee was backpacking around Australia. Pictured together in 2010

Lee, then 24, apparently took his time pursuing Jackie, who described him in her diary at the time as a ‘hot Hugh Grant’.

‘I was surprised to hear from him actually. I really didn’t think he’d call at all,’ Jackie previously said on-air, reflecting on the early days of their relationship.

After tying the knot, the pair welcomed their first child – daughter Kitty – in 2010.

Before her marriage to Lee, Jackie was married to British radio host ‘Ugly’ Phil O’Neil.

Big Fat Gypsy Wedding! Jackie and Lee renewed their vows during Kyle & Jackie O's Big Fat Gypsy Wedding at Curzon Hall in Sydney on August 31, 2012

Big Fat Gypsy Wedding! Jackie and Lee renewed their vows during Kyle & Jackie O’s Big Fat Gypsy Wedding at Curzon Hall in Sydney on August 31, 2012

Pretty in pink: The colourful wedding was broadcast live on The Kyle & Jackie O Show. Pictured with Kyle Sandilands (left)

Pretty in pink: The colourful wedding was broadcast live on The Kyle & Jackie O Show. Pictured with Kyle Sandilands (left)

Outrageous: Jackie arrived via a horse and carriage and wore a gaudy, oversized pink dress

Outrageous: Jackie arrived via a horse and carriage and wore a gaudy, oversized pink dress

Jackie and Phil married in 1994 when she was just 19 years old. 

But their relationship was over by the late ’90s, when Phil quit Australian radio and returned to his native UK. 

Phil was replaced by Kyle Sandilands, forming the Kyle and Jackie O partnership. 

Jackie recently made a rare public comment about her divorce from Phil, admitting on air how ‘anxious’ she had felt being single again.

She said: ‘I remember when I split up from my first husband and I had a period of being single. I just had that anxiousness of constantly wanting to find someone. 

‘I’ve never been happy on my own.’ 

Former flame: Before her relationship with  Lee, Jackie was married to British radio host 'Ugly' Phil O'Neil (right). Pictured in an undated photo from the 1990s

Former flame: Before her relationship with Lee, Jackie was married to British radio host ‘Ugly’ Phil O’Neil (right). Pictured in an undated photo from the 1990s

Meanwhile on Friday, a KIIS FM radio segment originally recorded in June 2014 resurfaced, in which Jackie addressed her troubled marriage to Lee.

Apparently Kyle was oblivious to Jackie’s marriage woes, and sounded shocked when she told him about their problems.

She said they once ‘went through a period where [they] just couldn’t get it together’ and were ‘constantly fighting’.

Jackie added: ‘We just couldn’t get back on track. We would fight non stop [about] nothing. We were completely out of sync and frustrated with each other.’ 

She further explained there were ‘two times’ when their relationship got so bad that they considered ending their marriage.

‘We hung in there because we really love each other,’ she said. ‘[But] there have been times when we almost wanted to call it a day.’ 

During the interview from four years ago, she even hinted that she and Lee had considered a separation before. 

She said: ‘I don’t think we would [split] because we… even when you get to that point when you go, “Right let’s maybe try a separation”, you spend like one day apart and then you’re like, “I can’t do this”. Because you want to be together.’  

Heartbreak diet? In the months leading up to Jackie announcing her split with Lee, she lost a significant amount of weight. Pictured on holiday in Fiji in July (the photo was taken by Lee)

Heartbreak diet? In the months leading up to Jackie announcing her split with Lee, she lost a significant amount of weight. Pictured on holiday in Fiji in July (the photo was taken by Lee)

Furthermore, in the months leading up to Jackie announcing her split with Lee, she lost a significant amount of weight.

It is possible her 10kg slim-down was related to the stress of her separation, however she has not confirmed this.

During a segment on the Kyle and Jackie O Show in August, Jackie raised eyebrows by revealing her controversial day on a plate.

She claimed her usual diet consisted of coffee for breakfast, a single avocado at lunch, and chicken and vegetables for dinner.

After an eating disorder charity compared Jackie’s meal plan to ‘starvation’, she defended herself by saying she does not follow the strict diet every single day.

She said at the time: ‘It is not a starvation diet. What I should have clarified is that while I’m doing that [following her strict diet] on some days, I don’t eat that every single day. 

‘If we want pizza, I’ll have pizza. If we, you know, want to go out for phở, I’ll eat that… If I wake up and I’m hungry, I have toast.’

Fate: Jackie and Lee first crossed paths on March 18, 2000, when the blonde was 25 years old and spotted her future husband at a bar in Sydney

Fate: Jackie and Lee first crossed paths on March 18, 2000, when the blonde was 25 years old and spotted her future husband at a bar in Sydney

Jackie continued: ‘I don’t stick to that [day on a plate] religiously. But, do you know what? When I do eat an avocado for lunch, I feel good! It makes me feel good.

‘I do believe that on the days when I eat less, I feel better about myself, and I feel healthier. I actually feel sluggish when I eat [heavier foods].

‘I’m not starving myself by any means. And I would never ever endorse that. I don’t want anyone out there starving themselves to lose weight. It’s not about starving yourself.’

A study by slimming product company Forza Supplements in 2014 revealed the science behind the so-called ‘heartbreak’ diet.

Research revealed that women lose on average 5lbs [2.2kg] in the first month after a split, if they did not initiate it, and 3lbs [1.3kg] if they did initiate the split.

Jackie and Lee – A timeline of their romance 

1999 Jackie splits from her first husband Ugly’ Phil O’Neil   

March 2000 The radio star, then 25, meets Lee after she spots the photographer in a bar while he was backpacking around Australia 

2003 – Jackie and Lee tie the knot 

December 2010 – Couple welcome their first child, a daughter called Kitty 

August 2012 –  Jackie and Lee renewed their vows during Kyle & Jackie O’s Big Fat Gypsy Wedding at Curzon Hall in Sydney

June 2014 –  Jackie talks about troubles in the couple’s marriage on her radio show, saying the pair almost called it quits ‘twice’ 

July 2018 – Jackie and Lee and their daughter go on a family trip to Fiji, in what now appears to be a ‘make or break’ holiday

October 2018 – The KIIS FM radio host announces the couple’s shock split

Jackie O is one of Australia's most popular radio personalities. Pictured in 2015

Jackie O is one of Australia’s most popular radio personalities. Pictured in 2015

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk