‘Someone to look at a sunset with’: Singo weds for seventh time

John Singleton has married the new love of his life, a woman almost half his age who fell for his wicked sense of humour and romantic text messaging.

John Singleton has married the seventh love of his life, a woman almost half his age who fell for his wicked sense of humour and romantic text messaging.

Sarah Warry said the kind of love she shares with the larrikin millionaire and notorious womaniser is that kind you know should not be taken for granted.

Speaking for the first time about her secret Sydney wedding in July to the 81-year-old advertising and media veteran, Ms Warry, 44, said her relationship is proof “you can fall in love with someone over great conversation”.

“He is terrific on the text,” the mother of two said.

“We were texting back and forth all about what I do and what he does and I really got to know him. Then we started talking, he’s such a great conversationalist, he really listens.”

John Singleton and his new wife Sarah Warry at a party.

John Singleton and new wife Sarah Warry at their wedding with Reverend Bill Cruise in July.

Singleton revealed he has never been happier.

“Not than anyone gives a f**k about me never being happier, but it’s an important thing to have in life, especially late in the second half,” he says.

“You want a hassle-free joyful life, you want to give and not take, and you want someone to share things with. People who don’t have someone to share things with, it’s a great loss, someone to look at a sunset with. When you see something beautiful you want to share it with someone, preferably a partner.”

Singleton has been married six times to some high-profile women, including former Miss World Belinda Green and television journalist Liz Hayes and been in a long-time relationship with the mother of two of his children.

He said he understands why “being married a few times draws a lot of attention”.

“Particularly because I’m a geriatric, I understand it’s interesting when someone’s been around so long, gossip columns want to know all about my new wife, new life, but the truth is I’ve been unmarried for a long time now,” he said.

John Singleton and his new wife Sarah Warry at the races.

John Singleton with his sixth wife Julie Martin.

“You just get to a certain stage in life and look back at what you have learnt and, strangely for someone who appears to have had so, so many relationships, my friends go back to primary and high school, same friends I had from league, union, surfing, boxing, those friends are still my same friends.

“I’ve had a PA for 40 years and one before that for 28. I’m pretty stable in terms of relationships – marriage is a different thing altogether.”

Conceding he handled some of his marriages “very poorly”, behaved “very badly” and let fame and money intoxicate him at times, Singleton said he cherished the fact he could pick up the phone and have a pleasant conversation with his former loves.

The fact his children consider each other brothers and sisters “not half brothers and sisters” and “one big happy family” makes him proud.

John Singleton with Julie at Morphettville Racecourse for a Magic Millions meeting.

As for his new wife of five months, Singleton gushes, describing her as “tough and shy”.

“We hit it off, she is intelligent, funny, she can talk about philosophy, politics … she’s new to horse racing so I’m trying to help her understand why I get such a kick out of it but, since I have been with her, I haven’t had a winner,” he said.

The pair met at the Railway Hotel, the pub Singleton owns on Gosford’s main street.

Warry, who was station manager of community radio station Coast FM, was there having lunch with her stepdad.

“My stepfather said go up and approach John, who was sitting at another table. He said: ‘Go and tell him about Coast FM and all the work you’ve done, and all the volunteers’. I didn’t want to interrupt his lunch, he didn’t know me from a bar of soap but he was so nice and kind and he listened, then he jumped on board as a sponsor.”

Ms Warry handed over her business card and the pair began texting.

As the couple started to get to know each other, they preferred nights at home.

John Singleton and his former wife, TV journalist Liz Hayes. Picture: John Russell

“We didn’t go out, we stayed at home and talked and talked, we would have dinner and talk until midnight, one, two in the morning. I just felt heard and understood and felt I had found someone who got me.”

Ms Warry said Singleton was someone who had so many incredible stories to share and had achieved so many amazing things.

“He has such a wicked sense of humour that can definitely get him in trouble, he’s very cheeky,” she said.

“But he fascinated me. I’m not often really blown away by people. I’m a bit what John calls shy, maybe that’s true, but he blew me away.”

As for Singleton’s jokes about being a “geriatric”, Ms Warry doesn’t feel so comfortable. “I could learn a lot from John, to be a bit more lighthearted about things like he is. I’m a bit serious so it’s a good balance I guess.”

The age gap isn’t something she dwells on.

Singleton and ex-wife Belinda Green with daughter Jessie.

Singleton with former model Maggie Eckardt in 1976.

“He’s had a good long life and I hope many more years to come. The thing you take home from the jokes about his age is just that time is precious. But he’s super-fit, fitter than people half his age, it’s about living and appreciating every second.”

That “good long life” also means he has a big family, a “rich tapestry”.

“One of the beautiful things that comes with that is his big family and loving children who all adore him. They all just get along with each other and love him, it’s really nice to see. Not everyone achieves that and I hope I become part of that rich tapestry.”

Ms Warry said Singleton has the utmost respect for his ex-wives and his children “exemplify the fact”.

“I’ll be honest, my own family members are constantly telling me how happy I seem. It’s definitely been a long time since I’ve been this happy.”

As for the future, Singleton said he makes “one-year plans now instead of five-year plans”. He’s looking forward to spending time with his wife who has cut back from the day to day running of the radio station and focusing on sales and marketing so she has more time at home.

“I’ll be honest, I joke about being a geriatric so I come across amusing rather than bitterly hurt,” he says with a touch of cheekiness.

“It saves everyone else from saying it. I’ve had my wild times, my times working in paradise, my wins and losses.

“What I have now though is someone to enjoy all those sunsets with. I have Sarah and hopefully Sarah feels she has that too.”