Samuel Johnson reveals the heartbreaking reason he’s been single for 13 years – as the actor breaks his silence on rumours he’s dating his late sister’s best friend
Samuel Johnson has revealed the heartbreaking reason he’s been single for 13 years.
Speaking to WHO on Thursday, the actor admitted he is fearful of finding love again, after his ex-girlfriend Lainie Woodlands took her life in 2006, hours after they split.
‘I’ve been too scared to be in another relationship since my girlfriend died 13 years ago,’ said the 41-year-old Secret Life of Us star.
Candid: Samuel Johnson has revealed the heartbreaking reason he’s been single for 13 years. Pictured on March 2, 2017 in Sydney
The Dancing with the Stars winner made the confession after being asked about rumours he’s dating his late sister’s best friend, Emma Rooke.
He denied the speculation, saying: ‘I’m lucky to have good friends around me’.
Sam’s sister Connie Johnson died of cancer in 2017.
Before Connie’s death, Sam had quit acting in order to focus his efforts solely on the charity they founded together, Love Your Sister.
Trauma: ‘I’ve been too scared to be in another relationship since my girlfriend died 13 years ago,’ Sam told WHO magazine, referring to Lainie Woodlands, who took her life in 2006
‘I’m lucky to have good friends around me’: Sam also denied rumours he has ‘found love’ with Emma Rooke (pictured), the best friend of his late sister, Connie Johnson
Samuel and Connie’s best friend, Emma, were first romantically linked in May.
A source told Woman’s Day that Emma was in the studio audience when Samuel won DWTS the previous month, and had also attended the after-party with him.
According to the magazine, the Molly star had shared a picture of himself and Emma to Instagram at the time, but quickly deleted it.
‘This koala makes everything with me. We have built some unusual dreams together over many years,’ he reportedly wrote in the caption.
‘Without her heart and brain, my dreams would remain just that. Thanks for building all the things with me little miss koala.’
Bond: Sam’s sister Connie (right) died of cancer in 2017. Before Connie’s death, Sam had quit acting in order to focus his efforts solely on the charity they founded together, Love Your Sister
In 2017, Samuel revealed that the death of his former girlfriend, Lainie, was his life’s ‘biggest sadness’.
‘The love of my life hanged herself,’ he said on Anh’s Brush with Fame. ‘And, I’m still very upset for her and for her family.’
Samuel, who had lost his mother to suicide when he was a child, had split with Lainie just hours before she took her own life in early 2006.
If you or anyone you know might be struggling, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
Tragedy: In 2017, Samuel revealed that the death of his former girlfriend, Lainie, was his life’s ‘biggest sadness’. Pictured: Sam on Dancing with the Stars with Jorja Freeman in March