Their tumultuous engagement ended a decade ago, but it seems Michael Clarke still can’t stop talking about Lara Bingle.
The 39-year-old retired cricketer discussed Lara’s infamous ‘diamond ring in the toilet incident’ on his Big Sports Breakfast radio show last week, and on Monday couldn’t help but return to the topic of his ex-fiancée.
During the show, Michael recalled his famous 2009 showdown with teammate Simon Katich, who had famously accused him of trying to leave post-game celebrations to see Lara, now 32.
A trip down memory lane! Photos from Michael Clarke and Lara Bingle’s tumultuous relationship resurface – after the retired cricketer made another reference to his ex-fiancée on Big Sports Breakfast radio this week. Pictured in October 2009
Lara, a stunning bikini model, and Michael, a talented batsman, were once once considered the ‘Posh and Becks’ of Australia.
They began dating in 2007, after meeting on the set of Channel Nine’s now-defunct reality TV show, Torvill and Dean’s Dancing on Ice.
In March the following year, the glamour couple became engaged during a romantic trip to New York.
Young love! They began dating in 2007, after meeting on the set of Channel Nine’s now-defunct reality TV show, Torvill and Dean’s Dancing on Ice. Pictured in February 2007
Iconic couple: Lara, a stunning bikini model, and Michael, a talented batsman, were once once considered the ‘Posh and Becks’ of Australia. Pictured in 2007
Upon returning to Australia, the lovebirds celebrated their engagement with 300 of their closest friends and family at a function centre at Sydney’s Luna Park.
In April 2008, Michael made international headlines when he was spotted pushing Lara’s car 100m down the road after it ran out of fuel in Cronulla, Sydney.
‘He didn’t seem happy, he seemed a little bit rushed. It was a funny sight to see,’ a witness told News Corp at the time.
Engagement bliss! The glamour couple became engaged during a romantic trip to New York in March 2008, just months after they met. Pictured in July 2008
Happy days! Upon returning to Australia, the lovebirds celebrated their engagement with 300 of their closest friends and family at a function centre at Sydney’s Luna Park. Pictured at the Allan Border Medal in February 2008
Michael and Lara’s car dramas weren’t over, however.
In December 2009, Lara’s $300,000 Aston Martin – a present from Michael – was stolen from the couple’s Bondi Beach home.
Thankfully, the luxury vehicle was found two days later with only minor damage.
Cosy couple: During their engagement, the pair lived together in a lavish Bondi apartment and were often spotted walking their dogs around Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs. Pictured in May, 2009
Mixing business with pleasure! In October 2009, the couple posed together as part of an advertising campaign for an energy drink
In March 2010, Michael famously left his teammates midway through a New Zealand tour to return to Australia for ‘personal reasons.’
In a late night press conference two days later, he confirmed that his two-year engagement to the former Tourism Australia spokesmodel was over.
Their split came just months after a photo of Lara in the shower taken by AFL star Brendan Fevola was publicly leaked and went viral.
Everything OK? Michael and Lara were photographed looking rather tense on the streets of Sydney in October 2009
It’s over! Michael confirmed that his two-year engagement to the former Tourism Australia spokesmodel was over during a late-night press conference in March 2010. Pictured at the Allan Border Medal in February 2009
Following their split, there were then highly-publicised rumours that Lara’s $200,000 engagement ring was flushed down the toilet in their Bondi beachside pad.
Michael finally addressed the rumours six years later in a tell-all interview with 60 Minutes, describing them as ‘complete made-up 100 percent bulls**t!’
‘I’d like to say I’m a very silly man. But I’m not that silly. I’m not throwing any diamond ring down a toilet,’ he said in 2016.
During the interview, Michael admitted he found himself ‘hiding from the media crews parked outside his home’ after the split.
‘There were cameras 24/7 so I ended up hiding in the boot of a mate’s car,’ he revealed.
Following their split, Michael went on to marry his now ex-wife Kyly Clarke, while Lara moved on with her current husband Sam Worthington.
Lara’s ring riddle: There were then highly-publicised rumours that Lara’s $200,000 engagement ring was flushed down the toilet in their Bondi beachside pad. Michael has since called these claims ‘100 percent bulls**t’. Pictured at the Allan Border Medal in February 2010