Billy Brownless and Garry Lyon have been on screen together during Fox Footy’s match coverage
Five years after Garry Lyon started a relationship with Billy Brownless’ ex-wife, the former friends have appeared on television together for the first time — but not how you’d expect. This is how their return to the screen worked.
Confidential
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Billy Brownless and Garry Lyon are back on TV together — but it’s not how you’d expect.
The pair who were close friends and worked together on The Footy Show, fell out almost five years ago and haven’t spoken publicly since.
During Fox Footy’s match coverage they have shared a screen, with Brownless presenting the PointsBet odds segment while Lyon is part of the rotating panel.
PointsBet is a sponsor of the Fox Footy coverage with Brownless as its spokesman.
The Fox Footy host at the time, which has been either Eddie McGuire or Sarah Jones, throws to Brownless who prerecords the segment.
Brownless said it wasn’t an awkward situation.
“It’s all prerecorded so it’s all good. I’ve done a little bit with PointsBet and I enjoy it,” Brownless said.
He and Lyon, who is also part of Fox Footy’s On The Couch team, fell out in early 2016 when it emerged that Lyon started seeing Brownless’s ex-wife Nicky.
Brownless’ marriage breakdown and subsequent falling out with Lyon made headlines around the country in the following months.
In January this year while in the South African jungle on I’m A Celebrity, Brownless opened up while speaking to Rhonda Burchmore.
He left the door slightly ajar when it came to Lyon, but said it was a kick in the guts when his relationship with Nicky broke down after 18 years together and four children.
“It was um, public, very public, front pages and all that,” Brownless said in a raw discussion on the Channel 10 reality show.
“We’d separated, which you know, surprised a few. She left me, really. She just fell out of love, which happens.
“Eighteen years (we were married). And I didn’t expect it.
“You think she’ll come back and all that, but she didn’t. So that was a real kick in the guts.
“But then, you know about a year later, she’s um, shacked up with one of my good mates. And he’s in the media, too.”
Brownless and Lyon had been friends for 15 years and worked together on The Footy Show between 2009 and 2015. Lyon is still in a relationship with Nicky.
“We’re not best mates. There’s no Christmas cards or anything,” Brownless said.
“One day, I suppose, we’ll sit down and have a beer. One day. Time heals.”
The events began to unfold publicly when in February 2016, Nine released a statement announcing that Lyon was on indefinite leave from The Footy Show as he battled depression.
In March 2016, Brownless spoke about the betrayal during an emotional interview on The Footy Show.
Lyon revealed in 2017 that he had sent Brownless a text message to apologise and said he was grateful to Nicky for helping him through tough times.
He and Nicky stepped out together in March 2018 but have kept their life private.