Michael Clarke, Jade Yarbrough and Pip Edwards: Inside drama-filled days leading up to Noosa fight

New Year’s Day 2023 dawned bright and beautiful in Sydney but inside the seven-month romance between former Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke and girlfriend Jade Yarbrough trouble was already brewing.

Officially they were still a couple – although Jade was away in the US ski resort of Aspen with her sister Jasmine and brother-in-law Karl Stefanovic.

On January 1 Michael was meant to be attending the customary star-laden event for Sydneysiders – the Bondi Icebergs party – with Jade, but instead turned up dateless.  

Michael’s ex-girlfriend, Pip Edwards was at the party, although the pair studiously avoided one another and didn’t speak.

How the drama unfolded when Jade Yarbrough, her sister and brother-in-law Jasmine and Karl Stefanovic and ex-cricketer Michael Clarke’s Noosa getaway ended up in an ugly brawl captured on video in a local park

Clarke and Pip Edwards had an on-again off-again romance for two years before he moved on to Jade

Jade Yarbrough and Michael Clarke jet off on romantic holiday together in July last year after just week of dating

Michael Clarke and Pip Edwards (left) had an on-again off-again romance for two years before he moved on to Jade Yarbrough, pictured (right) jetting off with the ex-cricketer on romantic holiday together in July last year after just week of dating

However, their dual attendance did not go unnoticed and Michael and Jade’s separate plans over Christmas and New Year sparked rumours the pair’s short-lived romance was over, or at least in trouble.

He had been in an on-and-off relationship with the P.E Nation founder Pip for almost two years after he ended his seven-year marriage to Kyly Clarke in 2019.

Michael and Pip dated until December 2021, and despite both appearing at former TV presenter Darren McMullen’s 40th birthday in February 2022 – where Jade was also a guest – the relationship seemed finally to have run its course.

Pip and Jade were pictured looking calm and happy at the Rose Bay bash, and appeared to be getting on well. 

Jade Yarbrough and Michael Clarke (above last November at a Louis Vuitton launch) appeared to blossom as a couple, but it all began to unravel after the new year, culminating in a violent bust-up in a family park

Jade Yarbrough and Michael Clarke (above last November at a Louis Vuitton launch) appeared to blossom as a couple, but it all began to unravel after the new year, culminating in a violent bust-up in a family park

Pip Edwards (left) and Jade Yarbrough (right) appear relaxed alongside one another at TV presenter Darren McMullen's 40th birthday in Rose Bay in February last year

Pip Edwards (left) and Jade Yarbrough (right) appear relaxed alongside one another at TV presenter Darren McMullen’s 40th birthday in Rose Bay in February last year 

In July 2022, Michael sparked a romance with Jade and a close friendship grew between the couple and Jasmine and Karl.

The group went to Noosa for a summer getaway, and in photographs taken at the beach on January 7, it looked like the perfect holiday. 

But it would only be days until a brawl broke out between Michael and Jade in a park after the group had dined at a local restaurant.

Here is the countdown to that now-infamous moment:

JANUARY 1

Ex-lovers Pip Edwards and Michael Clarke attend same New Year's Day party, 'actively avoiding' each other at Icebergs in Bondi Beach (above, Pip at Icebergs on January 1)

Ex-lovers Pip Edwards and Michael Clarke attend same New Year’s Day party, ‘actively avoiding’ each other at Icebergs in Bondi Beach (above, Pip at Icebergs on January 1)

Michael Clarke, (second right at the front in black shirt) with New Year's Day revellers at Bondi Icebergs which he had been expected to attend with Jade Yarbrough, who was instead in Aspen

Michael Clarke, (second right at the front in black shirt) with New Year’s Day revellers at Bondi Icebergs which he had been expected to attend with Jade Yarbrough, who was instead in Aspen

Rumours began to swirl after Jade Yarbrough spent the holiday season in Aspen with sister Jasmine (above, together in early January) instead of being by new beau Michael Clarke's side

Rumours began to swirl after Jade Yarbrough spent the holiday season in Aspen with sister Jasmine (above, together in early January) instead of being by new beau Michael Clarke’s side 

Ex-lovers Michael and Pip attend the annual New Year’s Day party at Icebergs as rumours swirl about Jade’s absence.

JANUARY 2-5

Karl and Jasmine return to Australia after breaks in Fiji, Los Angeles and Aspen with her mother, Cheryl.

The couple and their toddler daughter Harper then travel to to Noosa with Jade, Michael and his young daughter Kelsey Lee.

Jade and Michael stayed at the $10m mansion of celebrity accountant Anthony Bell (above) in Noosaville, which has a private sandy beach, 45m frontage and solar-heated infinity pool

Jade and Michael stayed at the $10m mansion of celebrity accountant Anthony Bell (above) in Noosaville, which has a private sandy beach, 45m frontage and solar-heated infinity pool

Jasmine and Karl Stefanovic own the Villa Isbella (above) at Sunshine Beach, a blissful 'piece of paradise' leased as a luxury rental

Jasmine and Karl Stefanovic own the Villa Isbella (above) at Sunshine Beach, a blissful ‘piece of paradise’ leased as a luxury rental

Jade and Michael are the guests of multi-millionaire accountant Anthony Bell at his  $10m Noosaville mansion. 

It is unclear whether Jasmine and Karl are staying at Bell’s six-bedroom, six bathroom house or at their own Sunshine Beach home, Villa Isabella, which is often leased as a luxury rental. 

JANUARY 7 

Karl and Jasmine are pictured enjoying a swim at Noosa Main Beach with their daughter Harper alongside Jade, Michael and Kelsey Lee. 

Jade and Michael look relaxed, with her laughing as they slap sunscreen on each other’s backs, exchange jokes and poke fun at each other.

At one point, Jade shakes her finger naughtily at Michael, and the couple later walk casually along Noosa’s Hastings Street with Kelsey in tow.

Jade Yarbrough looks relaxed and happy with Michael Clarke on Noosa's Main Beach as they holiday with Jasmine and Karl Stefanovic

Jade Yarbrough looks relaxed and happy with Michael Clarke on Noosa’s Main Beach as they holiday with Jasmine and Karl Stefanovic

It is not known if sometime later this day, Jade will exchange text messages or speak with Pip after seeing a text on Michael’s phone.

In the text, Michael allegedly invited Pip to accompany him when he travels to India in February and March as a commentator on the Australia test cricket team’s tour.

Jade will later throw the allegation at Michael during their fight, saying he messaged Pip: ‘You’re the love of my life, come to India’.

Pip will later respond that ‘Michael in his true nature has not taken responsibility for his actions and I was blatantly lied to’. 

JANUARY 8 

In the sprawling grounds around the pool at Bell’s steel, stone and glass house, Michael, 41, and Jade, 30 are seen looking tense and distant.

Jade seemed upset as she grilled Michael while he sat on a pool lounge.

At one point, Jade Yarbrough turns her back on Clarke and stands up, pushing him away as he gestures towards her

At one point, Jade Yarbrough turns her back on Clarke and stands up, pushing him away as he gestures towards her

Back in Sydney, Pip Edwards is pictured relaxing on the rocks at Gordons Bay with ex-NRL player Matt King and his wife, Pilates entrepreneur, Kirsten King

Back in Sydney, Pip Edwards is pictured relaxing on the rocks at Gordons Bay with ex-NRL player Matt King and his wife, Pilates entrepreneur, Kirsten King

Both dressed in black shorts, Jade stares moodily behind black sunglasses into the distance and then turns her back on Michael and stands up, pushing him away as he gestures towards her.

Back in Sydney, Pip is pictured relaxing at the beach with ex-NRL player Matt King and his wife, pilates entrepreneur, Kirsten King. 

Looking tanned and fit, she sunbathed on the rocks at Gordons Bay, chatting with her friends.  

JANUARY 10

Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar offers ‘a casual, yet elegant dining experience’  and ‘a touch of elegance (which) graces a spacious setting surrounded by lush greenery’.

Overlooking an inlet of the Noosa River, the restaurant is adjacent to a barbecue and casual picnic area.

It is there where Michael and Jade Yarbrough’s wild brawl will erupt.

Although it has been reported that the fight which was captured on video by a random onlooker took place on January 10, the restaurant told Daily Mail Australia it was more like to have been Friday, January 13.

Three days before Karl was due back on air at the helm of the Today show with his new co-anchor Sarah Abo, the veteran TV star was hoping to secure continuity of the surging ratings he had forged alongside Allison Langdon after her departure to A Current Affair.

It appears Karl, Jasmine, Jade and Michael spilled into nearby Lions Park after dinner.

The location of the couples' dinner at the classic Italian eatery the Noosa Waterfront restaurant and then the fight which broke out in the adjacent barbecue area of Lions Park

The location of the couples’ dinner at the classic Italian eatery the Noosa Waterfront restaurant and then the fight which broke out in the adjacent barbecue area of Lions Park

At about 9.30pm, the fight broke out, reportedly about recent text messages between Michael and Pip, and the allegation that he cheated on Jade with the fashion designer on December 17.  

The dramatic footage obtained by The Daily Telegraph shows a shirtless Clarke being screamed at and slapped by his hysterical girlfriend as others in the group try to defuse the fracas.

The incredible vision shows Michael limping in a park surrounded by a group who are trying to calm the situation, while a furious Jade screams at him then slaps him across the face.

Michael, who reportedly injured a hamstring during the incident, can been seen struggling to keep up with Jade as she walks around angrily.

‘I’m wrong? I’m f**king wrong! You’re a f**king liar. I can see everything. You called her,’ Jade screams.

it all looked fine and dandy between potential brothers-in-law Michael Clarke and Karl Stefanovic on January 7, but days later the ex-cricketer was calling the TV star terrible names

it all looked fine and dandy between potential brothers-in-law Michael Clarke and Karl Stefanovic on January 7, but days later the ex-cricketer was calling the TV star terrible names

Michael tries to reassure Jade he didn’t cheat on her and swears on his young daughter’s life he was with Bell on the night in question last month.

‘Baby you’re wrong, you’re wrong,’ he insists.

‘Baby, baby, Belly was at the house. I swear on my life, I swear at my life… that’s not true, it’s not true.’

But Jade doesn’t believe his protests and claims she spoke to Pip.

‘You’re f**king lying to me. You are a piece of s**t. I just spoke to her. What is wrong with you?’ she screams.

He replies: ‘It’s not true, it’s not true.’

Jasmine eventually steps in, grabs her distressed sister by the arm and takes her away.

Calm before the storm as Michael Clarke crosses the road with his daughter Kelsey Lee and Jade Yarbrough in the days before tensions deepened and then erupted in a  public park brawl

Calm before the storm as Michael Clarke crosses the road with his daughter Kelsey Lee and Jade Yarbrough in the days before tensions deepened and then erupted in a  public park brawl

‘Get away with Karl, go with Karl,’ Jasmine tells Michael as he unleashes his fury on Stefanovic.

‘Karlos, I can tell you now c**t, don’t you f**king walk away. She can, she can punch me, but you, you c**t,’ Michael says.     

Since publication of the video of the confrontation, the former cricket star has said ‘I accept full responsibility for this altercation and am shattered by my actions’.

He told the Telegraph: ‘I’m absolutely gutted I’ve put people I hold in the highest regard in this position. My actions in the lead-up to this altercation were nothing short of shameful and regrettable.

‘I am shattered that because of my actions I’ve drawn women of class and integrity, and my mates, into this situation.

‘I own this fully and am the only one at fault.’

Pip has since publicly distanced herself from the event, saying ‘it’s not my circus’ and Karl has not mentioned the scandal while hosting Today.

MICHAEL CLARKE’S SHIRTLESS MELTDOWN – LINE BY LINE

Ex-Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke was involved in a public fight with girlfriend Jade Yarbrough and TV host friend Karl Stefanovic – who is married to Jade’s sister Jasmine – after a night out with celebrity accountant Anthony Bell in Noosa on January 10.

This is how the spat unfolded:

Clarke: Baby…

Jade: I’m wrong? I’m f***ing wrong? You f***king liar. I saw everything, you called her

Clarke: I swear on my life. Baby, baby, Belly [Anthony Bell] was at my house. Do it to me, do it to me. Belly was at the house. Belly was at my house

Clarke: I swear on my life, I swear on my life. You can do it to me, you can do it to me

Jade: You told her… You f***king keep lying to me

Clarke: No, on my daughter’s life, on my daughter’s life

Jade: You keep lying. You are a piece of s**t

Jade: I just spoke to her. What is wrong with you?

Clarke: No I didn’t. Baby, you know what? You can hit me, you can hit me

Jade: You f***ed her on December 17

Clarke: That’s not true. That’s not true.

Jasmine: Get away with Karl, go with Karl

Jade: I f***ing hate you

Clarke: Jade, it’s not f***ing true 

Clarke: Karlos [Stefanovic], I can tell you now c**t, don’t you f***ing walk away. She can punch me, but you, you c**t

Jade: You piece of s***

Clarke: Go on, hit me, hit me

Bell: Stop it, stop it.

Clarke: Do it again, do it again. You’re wrong, you’re f***ing wrong

Jade: Oh, am I f***ing wrong? You f***ed her [Clarke’s ex Pip Edwards] on December 17

Clarke: No I didn’t

Jade: You f***ed her. You banged her, you f***ing dog. I’m about to get every f***ing message that you ever f***ing sent her.

Jade: You want to send her to India? You want to f***ing send her to India with you?

Jade: [Quoting a message] “You’re the love of my life Pip, come to India

Clarke: Don’t ever talk to me again

Jasmine: Stop Jade, stop

Bell: Let it go Jade