‘I understand if there’s interest’: Michael Clarke on THOSE new love interest rumours

He was recently photographed with Jade Yarbrough while on holiday in Europe. Speaking to Stellar, Michael Clarke has revealed the truth behind those reports.

He is one of Australia’s most successful sportsmen but Michael Clarke’s proudest role is being dad to his young daughter, Kelsey Lee. On Father’s Day, the former cricket captain talks exclusively to Stellar about fatherhood, his latest role with a classic Aussie fashion brand – and the truth behind his rumoured new love.

Being captain of the Australian cricket team meant Michael Clarke spent plenty of time in the spotlight. But nothing on the pitch could have prepared him for his unlikely side career as a model.

“Playing sport was something I trained for every single day, and I felt in my comfort zone, but the modelling side of things? Completely different,” Clarke tells Stellar. “Definitely out of my comfort zone.”

As the face of the R.M. Williams Father’s Day campaign, the former cricket star was relieved to strike a pose wearing clothes in his photo shoot for Stellar.

“High fashion, weren’t they?” Clarke says of the outfits on these pages. “I did Bonds [campaigns] for a long time – and trying to model in just underpants is much harder than having clothes on.

Michael Clarke is the star of the new R.M. Williams Father’s Day campaign. Picture: Daniel Nadel for Stellar

“It’s a lot easier with clothes on, that’s for sure,” he adds, laughing.

As one of the first cricketers to make a move into fashion, Clarke has challenged the traditional stereotypes associated with masculinity and sport.

“Being who you are is very important, and being proud of that,” he reflects. “I think fashion gives you that opportunity to be yourself.”

While he may have reached the pinnacle of success in cricket, Clarke says his most rewarding role is being a father to Kelsey Lee, 6, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Kyly Clarke.

“I’ve got 50 per cent custody of my daughter with my ex-wife, we have an awesome friendship, and our daughter is certainly both of our priorities,” Clarke says.

“Thankfully, that’s important to both of us.

“Your priority is your child; [she’s] my number-one focus. And I’m extremely protective,” he says of shielding his little girl from the media glare.

“Unfortunately, I can’t change it, I can’t get rid of it [the attention]. I’ll never be comfortable with it.”

The 41-year-old’s recent trip to Europe made headlines after he was photographed alongside interior designer and stylist Jade Yarbrough, the sister of Karl Stefanovic’s wife, Jasmine.

Even so, Clarke – who was previously linked to P.E Nation co-founder Pip Edwards – won’t be drawn on the rumours of a new girlfriend.

“I had two-and-a-half weeks away with some of my best friends [and] had such a great time,” he shares. “But I missed my little girl.”

While he tries to keep things private for the sake of his family and friends, Clarke knows the interest in his private life comes with the sports-star territory.

“I understand and respect that people are going to ask,” he offers. “I’ve never really cared too much about other people’s personal lives, but I understand if there’s interest.

“I’ve experienced a lot [in] my time; I’ve never been comfortable with photographers sitting out the front of your house, waiting for you to leave [or] come home. [But] I don’t take any notice of half of it,” he reveals.

“I might not have been able to do that when I was 25 but… you know what? People are going to say what they like – some of it is going to be true, some of it isn’t.

“The key is to focus on what is important.”

Michael Clarke: “People are going to say what they like – some of it is going to be true, some of it isn’t” Picture: Daniel Nadel for Stellar

Michael Clarke: “[Dad’s diagnosis] changed my attitude on probably everything”Picture: Daniel Nadel for Stellar

What remains most important to Clarke are his family and friends, with whom pivotal life moments have reshaped his outlook.

One such moment was in 2007, when his father, Les, was diagnosed with cancer (he’s now in remission).

“That was quite defining for me,” Clarke says. “I sort of felt like cricket was my whole life, and being extremely close to my parents and sister, that really rocked me.

“Yes, cricket is a part of your life but it’s not your life. [Dad’s diagnosis] changed my attitude on probably everything.”

A more recent moment was the death in March of Shane Warne, his close friend and idol who gave Clarke the nickname “Pup” when he first joined the Australian team.

“You go through tough times, you lose people close to you,” he adds. “That makes you cherish the important things a lot more.”

Which only makes today all the more special: “[It’s] the most special day of the year for me, to be honest. I’ve been so lucky… to experience so many amazing things but none more special than having my little girl.

“[Another] big part of Father’s Day is about me celebrating my father.”

Michael Clarke features in this Sunday’s Stellar. Picture: Daniel Nadel for Stellar.

So it is apt that his latest role with R.M. Williams coincides with Father’s Day and the South Australian company’s 90th anniversary.

“I’ve known the brand for such a long time and always loved it – it’s one of Australia’s only heritage brands,” Clarke says, recalling how its iconic boots became the unofficial footwear of the Australian cricket team.

“They’d give us a suit when you play for Australia, but every single player had the R.M.s on.”

Originally published as ‘I understand if there’s interest’: Michael Clarke on THOSE new love interest rumours