Former Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis has spoken of his parents’ high-profile split during an appearance on The Anj, Rob & Robbo Show on Thursday.
It was revealed in February that Lincoln’s father, rugby league legend and Channel Nine commentator Wally Lewis, had quietly split from Jacqui, his wife of 36 years, last year.
Wally is now understood to be in a relationship with Townsville mum and writer Lynda Adams.
Asked by host Robert McKnight how his mother has been coping amid the marriage breakdown, Lincoln, 33, initially struggled to find his words before explaining how it has ‘been hard’ on the entire family, particularly ‘going through things’ publicly.
Tell-all: Former Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis (right) has spoken of his parents’ high-profile split during an appearance on The Anj, Rob & Robbo Show on Thursday. Pictured with host Robert McKnight (left)
‘It’s been hard on everyone obviously, and anyone who goes through stuff… it’s obviously going to be hard,’ a casually dressed Lincoln told Robert McKnight.
‘You’re going through things in the public eye and that comes with the territory.’
When pressed for comment as to how his mother Jacqui has been coping, Lincoln said she’s ‘surrounded by good people who love and care about her’.
Over: It was revealed in February that Lincoln’s father, rugby league legend and Channel Nine commentator Wally Lewis, had quietly split from Jacqui, his wife of 36 years, last year
‘We’ve all banded together, we’re a tight family unit. She’s got some amazing friends around her. That’s the thing that gets anyone through (difficult times).’
Lincoln went on to speak about mental health in general and the importance of having a support system around you.
‘At the end of the day, to have good people around you that love, care and support you, is the main thing.
Speaking out: Asked how his mother has been coping amid the marriage breakdown, Lincoln, 33, initially struggled to find his words before explaining how it has ‘been hard’ on the entire family
‘So obviously she’s got that around her. We have our up days and our down days, but she’s surrounded by good people,’ he continued.
It was announced in February that Lincoln’s father Wally had split from wife Jacqui.
The Queensland icon, 61, who owned the State of Origin arena in the 1980s and early 90s, revealed he quietly split with wife Jacqui last year.
Moving on: Wally is now understood to be in a relationship with Townsville mum and writer Lynda Adams
‘This is a deeply personal matter that we do not want to discuss publicly,’ he said at the time.
‘I want to acknowledge the pain and upset my family has gone through since Jacqui and I separated last year. I hope over time we can rebuild our ties and move on with life.
‘I will confirm I am now in another relationship and only ask for the media to respect our privacy.’
High-profile split: It was announced in February that Lincoln’s father Wally had split from wife Jacqui. The Queensland icon, 61, who owned the State of Origin arena in the 1980s and early 90s, revealed he quietly split with wife Jacqui last year. Pictured together in 2016
He admitted it had been a ‘difficult time for everyone in the family’ and said the pair were still working through the details of the separation.
Wally’s reported new girlfriend, Lynda Adams, is a volunteer at Sands Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Newborn Death Support Group in Townsville.
She had five miscarriages before giving birth to a daughter through IVF, who is now 15.
Family: Wally is pictured with his family, including Lincoln (left) and water polo star Jamie-Lee Lewis (also left)
Lynda also recently split from her husband, property developer husband Mark Adams.
The shock announcement came just weeks after the NRL Immortal revealed how his battle with depression almost saw him take his own life.
Wally, who had brain surgery in 2007 to combat daily seizures he had kept a secret since 1980, said he considered killing himself at his home in Brisbane when his then-wife Jacqui was running errands.
At the time, Wally revealed he had since moved on with another woman, but kept her identity anonymous
‘I had suicidal thoughts (after brain surgery) and found myself crying uncontrollably, for no reason,’ he wrote in his recently released autobiography My Life, according to the Courier Mail.
‘I needed someone with me at all times.’
Another time Wally walked past the pontoon on the canal at the back of his house and considered jumping in.
Rugby league great: Wally owned the State of Origin arena in the 1980s and early 90s (pictured in action playing for the Kangaroos in 1988)
Thankfully, his thoughts quickly turned to his wife and three children and the chilling moment passed.
Wally burst onto the scene as a teenager with Valley in 1978, quickly establishing himself as one of the premier players in the Queensland Rugby League competition before defecting to Wynnum Manly in 1984.
When the Brisbane Broncos were invited to participate in the Australian Rugby League (ARL) competition in 1988, he was the team’s pin-up boy.
He finished his club career with the Gold Coast Seagulls a few years later.
After retiring in 1992, Wally made a successful transition into the media as a commentator with Channel Nine. He was named an Immortal in 1999.
‘It’s been hard on everyone obviously, and anyone who goes through stuff… it’s obviously going to be hard,’ a casually dressed Lincoln told Robert McKnight