Former footy star Billy Brownless has stepped out with his partner at Flemington, months after confirming there was a new woman in his life.
Billy Brownless : Partner | Melissa lyon | New partner
Brownless was married to Nicki. They have two daughters, Lucy and Ruby, and two sons, Oscar and Max.
Brownless and Nicki made headlines in 2016 and beyond after it came to light that they had separated after 18 years of marriage in 2015, and that Nicki had proceeded to have a relationship with one of Brownless’s colleagues, Garry Lyon.
The relationship caused a bitter falling-out between Brownless and Lyon, causing Lyon to leave The Footy Show with depression.
When Brownless retired from football he moved into the media, appearing regularly on The Footy Show. On The Footy Show he appeared in “The House of Bulger” segment as the family’s matriarch Joybell Bulger.
Billy Brownless partner
AFL great Billy Brownless has gone public with his new partner Justine for the first time.
The Geelong legend attended the TAB Champions Stakes Day last Saturday with his new love interest, as well as his daughters Lucy and Ruby.
The 55-year-old was pictured alongside Justine at the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse, with the pair both brandishing huge smiles.
The Herald Sun reports the pair received “warm well wishes” from other punters at Stakes Day, as well as from the partners of Billy’s daughters, Aussie rules players Paddy McCartin and Josh Wallis.
The happy couple were reportedly introduced by Brownless’ good mate and fellow AFL great Leigh Montagna and his wife Erin.
The two couples recently holidayed together in Fiji, according to reports.
Their happy day out at the races came after Brownless revealed to the Herald Sun in August that he had been “taking it slow” in a new relationship, six years after his marriage breakdown left him in a bitter feud with former best mate Garry Lyon.
“It’s really new and a nice little friendship. We’re going all right and taking it slowly,” Brownless said.
Melissa lyon
Geelong great Billy Brownless finally confirmed rumours on Friday that he has started dating again.
Billy and Nicky Brownless (left) are pictured with Garry and Melissa Lyon (right) in 2012. In 2016, Lyon left his wife and started a relationship with Nicky.
The 55-year-old said that he’d recently formed a close friendship with a female companion, whose identity has not been publicly revealed, and that the pair are currently seeing where things led.
The AFL legend told The Herald Sun: ‘It’s really new and a nice little friendship. We’re going all right and taking it slowly.’
He had previously attempted to downplay reports that he’d been spotted on dates with a mystery woman, and quashed jokes about it from his Triple M colleagues.
Footy fans will no doubt be happy to see Billy open to love again after his 18-year marriage to wife Nicky sensationally ended in 2016 after she started dating his best mate, fellow AFL star Garry Lyon.
Both men’s marriages had ended before Nicky and Lyon announced they were a couple, but Billy still felt betrayed because they had assured him they were nothing more than ‘just good friends’.
After five years of bad blood, Billy and Garry began steps toward reconciliation last year when Brownless said they were in a ‘good spot’, before spending Christmas Day together in 2020.
But billy’s daughter Lucy described the lunch between the blended families as ‘really special’.
Billy Brownless new partner
Footy legend Billy Brownless has gone public with his new girlfriend Justine for a day at the races.
The former Geelong player and AFL personality looked to be in high spirits at Flemington’s Champions Stakes Day on Saturday, where he and Justine were joined by his daughters Lucy and Ruby.
Also the pair were spotted at the famous Birdcage enclosure, with Brownless all suited up and Justine wearing a chic black dress and headband.
Brownless’ personal life was thrust into the spotlight after his high-profile breakup from ex-wife Nicky in 2016.
The couple had been married for 18 years before Nicky began a relationship with Brownless’ close friend Garry Lyon.
“It was public, very public. But Front pages and all that,” Brownless told his fellow campmates on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here in 2020.
“I didn’t expect it. You think she’ll come back and all that, but she didn’t.
Also the pair have kept a relatively low profile, but Brownless’ daughter Lucy happily posted a feelgood photo of her dad with Justine in her Instagram stories after the races.
Also brownless appear to be dancing, with an amused-looking Justine watching on and having a giggle.