Fans watched as Australian Survivor star Brian Lake embraced his wife, Shannon, and the couple’s three children during last week’s season finale.
But it seems it was all for show. Now, New Idea can confirm that Brian and Shannon had in fact separated before the former AFL star left for Fiji where the reality show was filmed over three months.
According to a friend close to the family, the couple’s nine-year marriage had been rocky for some time.
“Brian and Shannon separated before the show,” the friend reveals. “After years of being a professional sportsman, Survivor was a chance for Bri to escape and find himself again.”
But since returning from the tropical island paradise, Brian has found himself in some serious hot water.
In July, the former Hawthorn star was arrested while in Japan for his part in an alleged bar fight. He was released by police a short time later.
Adding to his troubles, his friend reveals the 36-year-old is also struggling with “mental health issues” and the “death of his mother”.
“He came back from Survivor and everything just really hit him. He is now taking much needed time to deal with it all.”
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea, on sale now.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
