Richard Wilkins blasts New Idea: ‘So disrespectful’
Richard Wilkins is seeing red over a New Idea cover story declaring he’s about to “go public” with another Aussie celeb.
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Nine entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins has blasted magazine New Idea for a ‘disrespectful” cover story linking him with Terri Irwin.
Wilkins and Australia Zoo conservationist Irwin feature on the latest cover of the magazine, in two separate photos that have been superimposed together. “Terri and Dickie GO PUBLIC!” trumpets the headline.
Based on the cover, readers could understandably assume Wilkins and Irwin – widow to Steve and mother to Bindi and Bob – were “going public” with a relationship.
But it’s nothing of the sort: The New Idea story instead claims Wilkins will soon “go public” to announce that he’s locked in the first exclusive interview with Bindi and husband Chandler Powell after their baby is born, following negotiations with Terri.
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Inside, the 320-word story claims, “Terri and Dickie have recently been enjoying working out the details of the exclusive interview in a series of zoom chats,” and that, “Richard can’t wait to invite Terri to Sydney for dinner with him and his mates once restrictions ease”.
Wilkins posted a photo of the cover as it appeared on newsstands to his Instagram account overnight, blasting the tabloid.
“Really??? Please don’t buy a copy of this trash hoping to learn about ‘Terri and Dickie going public’. Such bulls**t!!! … and so disrespectful to me, my partner Nicola, Terri and our families. Why? Is there not enough stuff going on in the world right now to write about … without having to fabricate total nonsense????” the furious star wrote.
Wilkins has been in a relationship with flight attendant Nicola Dale since at least the middle of the year, after splitting with partner of two years Virginia Burmeister in March.
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Many of Wilkins’ celeb mates chimed in under the post.
“I’m buying it just in case,” teased fellow Nine personality Rebecca Maddern.
“Does this mean no family trips to Australia Zoo?” asked Wilkins’ son Christian.
“I don’t understand … they said it’s true … so …” wrote Guy Sebastian.
Elsewhere in the comments section, Wilkins confirmed he had not been approached by the magazine for comment.
He’s not the first Nine star to blast the mag. Wilkins’ friend and Today colleague Karl Stefanovic has had his own run-ins with the tabloid, which he dubbed “No idea”.
And in September, cricket legend Shane Warne slammed New Idea and rival mag Woman’s Day, accusing the publications of having “gone after all of my children over the years”.
Originally published as Richard Wilkins blasts New Idea: ‘So disrespectful’