They say Christmas is for family, and Boxing Day is for friends.
And there’s no better place to see and be seen on December 26 than the famous annual party hosted by celebrity account Anthony Bell at his $10.3million waterfront mansion in Noosaville.
Our exclusive photos from Thursday’s bash show plenty of movers and shakers clinking glasses of ice-cold Aperol Spritz under the hot Queensland sun.
The most notable guest was Today show host and fellow Noosa holiday homeowner Karl Stefanovic, who brought along his model daughter Willow and her Argentinian boyfriend Genaro Abdala Garcia, whose backslapping ease around Karl proves he’s very much part of the family.
But there was one notable absence.
The money man’s former best friend Michael Clarke was nowhere to be seen at the party. After his previous absence at Bell’s star-studded wedding to wife Annika Martyn, it’s fair to say relations between the two men have irreparably broken down.
Celebrity accountant Anthony Bell and his wife Annika Martyn hosted a Boxing Day party at his Noosaville mansion last week
The most notable guest was Today show host Karl Stefanovic (left), who brought along his model daughter Willow (right) and her Argentinian boyfriend Genaro Abdala Garcia (left), whose backslapping ease around Karl proves he’s very much part of the family
Anthony and Michael’s years-long friendship became strained after the retired Australian cricket captain was filmed having a heated exchange with his former girlfriend Jade Yarbrough outside a restaurant in Noosa in January 2023.
In the footage, filmed by a passer-by, Jade tearfully accused Michael of sleeping with his ex-girlfriend, fashion designer Pip Edwards, behind her back. Michael protested his innocence, swearing on his daughter’s life he never did it, as Karl – Jade’s brother-in-law and Michael’s friend – tried to stop the fracas.
It was a public relations disaster ‘Pup’ will never live down – and it seems to have cost him his friendship with both Karl and Anthony, who was also his business partner.
The Clarke-Bell rift became public knowledge in March when Michael signed with another management company. At about this time he also sold his share of the $15million superyacht Ghost, which the pair had been co-owners of since 2022.
Months later, Anthony returned serve with a statement to the press that made it clear the end of their business relationship was directly linked to their personal falling-out.
‘Events of 2023 have taken their toll on mine and Michael’s friendship which naturally has made it impossible to conduct a business relationship,’ he said.
‘We wish Michael all the best in his future.’
Despite his friendship breakdown with Michael, Anthony is clearly still on good terms with the sportsman’s ex-girlfriend Jade, who attended his Boxing Day party with her sister Jasmine.
There was one notable absence: Bell’s former friend Michael Clarke (pictured) was nowhere to be seen at the party. Following his previous no-show at Bell’s wedding in November, it’s fair to say relations between once-inseparable best mates have irreparably broken down
Tellingly, Michael’s ex-girlfriend Jade Yarbrough (circled) was at the party. She is seen here chatting to her brother-in-law Karl
Karl’s daughter Willow looked stylish in yellow shorts and a matching top as she spent time with her boyfriend Genaro
Karl’s wife Jasmine (centre right) watched their daughter Harper, four, play on the sand
Jasmine was seen enjoying a cocktail as she soaked up the hot Queensland sun
Willow and Genaro embraced one another during a romantic moment at the party
Jade, who is now dating property developer Paul Gedoun, looked happy and relaxed as she mingled with the other well-known guests within Bell’s social orbit.
Her brother-in-law Karl was also seen enjoying a drink with Anthony and wife Annika, who dressed to impress in an orange mini dress and a pair of Valentino wedges.
Jasmine also looked stylish in a floral mini as she kept a watchful eye on their four-year-old daughter Harper, who went missing from the couple’s Noosa home several days before Christmas only to be found sleeping underneath a chair.
The party comes after Anthony and Annika tied the knot near Noosa last month.
Their nuptials were held on the Sunshine Coast at Yandina Station, a working cattle ranch converted into a luxury country estate set on 14 acres of rural property, with panoramic views of Mt Coolum.
After saying ‘I do’, the newlyweds entertained their guests at a reception held at the venue’s historic Dairy Barn.
‘It was a beautiful ceremony and reception,’ one guest said. ‘You could really feel the love in the room.’
The newlyweds’ children dressed to match them, with Ryder donning a black and white suit, and Bell’s daughters wearing smart black mini dresses with cream bows.
Annika chose a simple halterneck wedding gown, and paired it with a long beaded veil.
Annika shares a four-year-old daughter, Taylor, and a 16-year-old son, Ryder, with her ex-husband, cricketer Damien Martin.
As for Bell, the businessman was previously married to Getaway presenter Kelly Landry. Landry and Bell share two daughters, Charlize, 11, and Thea, eight.
The pair confirmed their engagement in May 2024, after making their first public appearance at Derby Day in Melbourne in November 2023.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the star-studded event, Bell said of his new romance: ‘We’ve been running around together for a few months… but [Derby Day] is our first public outing. How good, we picked a nice quiet event.’
Rumours about the couple’s relationship sparked in September 2023 after Annika shared several snaps enjoying time on Bell’s superyacht in the south of France.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Annika is the Director at Goop Gang, a weight loss program for women.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk