The ex-husband of Channel Nine star Lauren Phillips has broken his silence on their shock split in 2018 – after their seemingly perfect marriage lasted just one year.
Former TV producer Lachlan Spark unleashed on the Weekend Today presenter, 39, in a scathing Instagram post over the weekend, accusing her of ‘caring more about herself’ during their relationship and saying he ‘wasted’ years of his life with the wrong person.
His blistering statement came as he debuted his new girlfriend, Courtney Wynbergen, whom he said had ‘changed his world’.
Bitter split: Lauren Phillips’ ex-husband Lachlan Spark has broken his silence on their shock split in 2018 – after their marriage lasted just one year. Pictured on their wedding day in 2017
‘A while ago, I married a girl who cared much more about herself and how she was perceived than she did about me,’ began Lachlan, who only recently returned to Instagram after deleting all his social media accounts when he split from Lauren.
‘It was a lot… too much, actually. I left and despite losing almost every friend I’d found over seven years (and a few other ‘best mates’ for good measure) in the blink of an eye, it was the best thing I’ve ever done.’
Lachlan, who runs his own creative agency, went on to say that he’d wasted years of his life with Lauren, whom he married in 2017 after six years of dating.
Ouch! Lachlan unleashed on Weekend Today presenter Lauren in a scathing Instagram post over the weekend, accusing her of ‘caring more about herself’ during their relationship
Done and dusted: Lachlan, a former TV producer who runs his own creative agency, said that he’d wasted years of his life with Lauren, whom he married in 2017 after six years of dating. Pictured at a fashion event in Melbourne on March 16, 2017
‘Approaching 40, I was more than a bit nervous I’d wasted a big chunk of my life with the wrong person, and that I was long odds to find anyone who was willing (or able) to give me the love I knew I deserved,’ he explained.
He went on to take yet another swipe at his ex, saying: ‘I truly believed there was more to a relationship (and life) than skin-deep friends, free holidays and Instagram followers – I just needed to find it.’
Lachlan said he’d met his new girlfriend Courtney by ‘sheer, dumb luck’.
‘I ran into this girl and my world changed,’ he wrote.
He went on to call Courtney a ‘fighter’, ‘loyal’ and ‘utterly magnificent’, then added: ‘She knows how to love me like I’ve never been loved before… I love you.’
New flame: His blistering statement came as he debuted his new girlfriend, Courtney Wynbergen, (pictured) whom he said had ‘changed his world’
He’s smitten! Lachlan said he’d met his new girlfriend Courtney by ‘sheer, dumb luck’, adding: ‘She knows how to love me like I’ve never been loved before… I love you’
Lachlan recently spent time with Courtney in the Kangaroo Valley and Byron Bay.
He and Lauren wed in 2017 after six years of dating, but confirmed their split in December 2018 after just a year of marriage.
At the time, her representative confirmed the marriage was over in a brief statement to The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
Happy: Lachlan recently spent time with Courtney in the Kangaroo Valley and Byron Bay
Over: Lachlan and Lauren wed in 2017 after six years of dating, but confirmed their split in December 2018 after just a year of marriage
Split rumours began circulating after fans noticed Lauren had stopped wearing her wedding and engagement rings.
About this time, Lachlan disappeared from social media altogether, disabling his Instagram account.
Lachlan had not been seen on Lauren’s social media accounts since April 2017, when the pair went on holiday to the Maldives together.
Moving on: Split rumours began circulating after fans noticed Lauren had stopped wearing her wedding and engagement rings. Pictured: Lauren with her bridesmaids on her wedding day
Sad: In December 2018, a source told Daily Mail Australia that Lauren and Lachlan ‘started a trial separation in February to March (earlier that year)’, just two months after their nuptials
The couple’s marriage ran into trouble soon after their wedding in December 2017.
A year later, a source told Daily Mail Australia that Lauren and Lachlan had attempted a ‘trial separation in February to March [2018]’ – just two months after their nuptials.
The insider claimed there had been a ‘breach of trust’ that led to the trial separation and, ultimately, the break-up.
In March 2019, Lauren opened up about their split, saying they were still on good terms and even attended a friend’s wedding in Byron Bay together.
‘It’s been a hectic few months’: In March 2019, Lauren opened up about their split and said at the time that they were still on good terms and even attended a wedding in Byron Bay together
‘It’s been a hectic few months trying to find my feet and I suppose trying to get my confidence back again,’ Lauren told The Daily Telegraph at the time.
‘I think often when you’re going through a difficult time people rally around you and that’s what I’ve done.’
She added: ‘Lachie and I are still on really great terms, we just went to a wedding in Byron Bay. People go through difficult times and we made a promise to be there for each other.’
Despite her split with Lachlan, it has been reported that Lauren has now found love with Samantha Armytage’s rumoured tycoon ex, Paul O’Brien.
Lauren is said to have began dating Paul while she was living in Melbourne earlier this year, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
However, when Victoria’s strict coronavirus lockdown took hold in July, Lauren quickly relocated to Byron Bay.
New man? Despite her split with Lachlan, it has been reported that Lauren has now found love with Samantha Armytage’s rumoured tycoon ex, Paul O’Brien (pictured)
There, she reportedly moved in with Paul while continuing to work as Weekend Today’s weather presenter.
‘Close friends say Phillips has never been happier since making the sea change from Melbourne to Byron Bay, avoiding Victoria’s strict lockdown to live with her new partner,’ the publication alleged.
Meanwhile, Lauren is said to be enjoying getting to know Paul’s celebrity client-turned-friends, including Elsa Pataky, Chris Hemsworth and his personal trainer Luke Zocchi.
New pals: Meanwhile, Lauren is said to be enjoying getting to know Paul’s celebrity client-turned-friends, including Elsa Pataky, Chris Hemsworth and his personal trainer Luke Zocchi
Paul is a multi-millionaire and a jet tycoon, who once reportedly dated Sunrise’s Samantha Armytage.
He runs high-end charter group AVMIN and boasts celebrity clients, including Matt Damon, his wife Luciana Barroso, Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky.
At the weekend, Lauren got a tattoo with Elsa and other gal pals while celebrating at Leonie Hemsworth’s 60th birthday bash.
Lauren wrote in an Instagram caption: ‘I guess we really won’t forgot 2020 now.’
While the friendship between Lauren and Elsa may come as a surprise to many, it is not the first time the TV presenter has spent time with a member of the Hemsworth clan.
In September, Thor star Chris made a surprise appearance on Weekend Today and read the weather for Lauren – surprising hosts Richard Wilkins and Rebecca Maddern.
At the time Chris told the hosts that this year has been the longest he has been in Australia for, adding: ‘It has been fantastic, being with the family and laying low.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted both Lachlan and Lauren for further comment in relation to this article.
Tatt’s nice: At the weekend, Lauren got a tattoo with Elsa and other gal pals while celebrating at Leonie Hemsworth’s 60th birthday bash