Grant Denyer has revealed how ‘unfair’ and false claims he was having an affair affected him and his family.
The star called in lawyers over an October 18 article that suggested he was romantically involved with his Dancing with the Stars partner Lily Cornish.
The tabloid printed an apology in a December edition and online, acknowledging the story was false and that Grant, 44, and Lily, 22, never had an affair.
Family man: Grant Denyer has revealed how ‘unfair’ and false claims he was having an affair affected him and his family. He is pictured in this week’s issue of Stellar with his wife Chezzi and their daughters
Speaking to this week’s issue of Stellar magazine, the TV host explained why he took action over the story.
‘I push the envelope a bit and I’m a little bit trickier than squeaky-clean guys like the wonderful Larry Emdur. I’m used to having stories made up about me,’ he said.
‘But it’s unfair to do that to a 22-year-old girl and make her out to be some sort of home wrecker. That’s why we went into a legal battle and won’.
‘It was hard going to school to pick the kids up when you think that every other mother who’s there to pick up their children thinks you’re the worst human in the world, Grant said
He went on: ‘It was hard going to school to pick the kids up when you think that every other mother who’s there to pick up their children thinks you’re the worst human in the world.
‘I grew up in my career being told to take every hit, but now with social media we have a voice and I don’t mind holding people accountable’.
The tabloid reached a confidential settlement with the Denyers late last year, in addition to issuing an apology to Grant, his wife Chezzi and Lily.
Case; The star called in lawyers over an October 18 article that suggested Grant was romantically involved with his Dancing with the Stars partner Lily Cornish (left)
The apology reads: ‘On 18 October 2021, [publisher] Are Media and New Idea published an article that conveyed that Grant Denyer was having an extra-marital affair with his Dancing with the Stars: All Stars dance partner, Lily Cornish, and that his wife, Chezzi was heartbroken as a result. The article was false.
‘Are Media and New Idea acknowledge that Grant Denyer and Lily Cornish are not having an extra-marital affair. They have never had an affair.
‘Are Media and New Idea regret publishing the article. Are Media and New Idea wish to sincerely apologise to Grant Denyer, Chezzi Denyer and Lily Cornish for the hurt and embarrassment caused by the article.’
False: The tabloid printed an apology in a December edition and online, acknowledging the story was false and that Grant, 44, and Lily, 22, never had an affair. Grant and Chezzi had categorically denied the New Idea report the week it was published
The Channel 10 star also said he’d reached a ‘suitable confidential settlement outside of court’, but did not specify if New Idea paid any damages.
New Idea published a front-page story on October 18 falsely implying Grant was having an affair with dancer Lily.
The magazine included photos of Grant with his hand on Lily’s thigh in between rehearsals for Dancing with the Stars: All Stars in Sydney.
‘I grew up in my career being told to take every hit, but now with social media we have a voice and I don’t mind holding people accountable’ Grant tells Stellar
While the photos were accompanied by the headline ‘Grant Denyer Caught Out’, the full set of images was later released, offering a more complete picture of what happened.
The original article insinuated Grant and Lily were cheating on their respective partners – a claim the Denyers strongly denied – but the photos themselves actually suggested a platonic relationship.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any infidelity took place.
‘It’s unfair to do that to a 22-year-old girl and make her out to be some sort of home wrecker. That’s why we went into a legal battle and won’ Grant added
Grant later admitted he’d ’embarrassed’ his family, telling 2Day FM’s The Morning Crew with Hughesy, Ed & Erin the pictures actually showed him consoling his friend after she had received some sad personal news.
He and his wife Chezzi, 41, had categorically denied the New Idea report the week it was published in a series of social media posts.
The couple, who have been married since 2010, have three daughters, Sailor, 10, Scout, six and Sunday, one.
Bonds: Grant and Chezzi, who have been married since 2010, have three daughters, Sailor, 10, Scout, six and Sunday, one