Lauren Phillips’ ex-husband Lachlan Spark says it ‘wasn’t his intent’ to be malicious about his ex

Channel Nine star Lauren Phillips’ ex-husband has claimed an eyebrow-raising online attack against his former wife was ‘nothing malicious’, after posting a string of shocking remarks about their relationship over the weekend.

Former TV producer Lachlan Spark unleashed on the Weekend Today presenter, 39, in a scathing Instagram post on Sunday – accusing Lauren of ‘caring more about herself’ during their relationship and saying he ‘wasted’ years of his life with the wrong person.

But speaking to Confidential on Wednesday, Lachlan responded as to whether or not he meant the words with malice, saying: ‘That certainly wasn’t my intent.

‘I wrote it purely to put it out there (for my own benefit more than anyone else’s) that I’d put a difficult period behind me. Nothing malicious.’

Lachlan and Lauren wed in 2017 after six years of dating, but confirmed their split in December 2018 after just a year of marriage.

When talking to Confidential, he also addressed rumours of a third party as the cause of the end of their relationship – saying it ‘had absolutely nothing to do with infidelity’.

‘We were just two people heading in vastly different directions who figured it out a little too late,’ he said.

His statement came as he debuted his new girlfriend, Courtney Wynbergen, who he said had ‘changed his world’.

‘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.

‘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.’ 

Lachlan recently spent time with Courtney in the Kangaroo Valley and Byron Bay.

A year after their fairytale wedding, the duo called it quits in December 2018.  

At the time, her representative confirmed the marriage was over in a brief statement to The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Split rumours soon 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.

The couple’s marriage ran into trouble soon after their wedding in late 2017. 

In December 2018, a source told Daily Mail Australia that Lauren and Lachlan had attempted a ‘trial separation in February to March’ that year – 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 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.’

Lauren is now believed to be dating multi-millionaire jet tycoon Paul O’Brien, who happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Sunrise host Sam Armytage.  

Lauren is enjoying getting to know Paul’s many celebrity friends, including Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth and his wife, Elsa Pataky.

Over the weekend, Lauren got a tattoo with Elsa and several other women while celebrating Chris’ mother Leonie’s 60th birthday in Byron Bay.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Lachlan and Lauren for further comment.