Billy Brownless set to break silence on falling out with Garry Lyon

SHANE Crawford has declared “we don’t know what’s going to happen” as Billy Brownless prepares to tell his side of the story about his falling out with Garry Lyon.

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BILLY Brownless will break his silence when the The Footy Show returns this Thursday night.

Brownless will tell his side of the story about the falling out with best mate Garry Lyon and former co-host of the show.

The loveable larrikin has been in turmoil since news of an alleged relationship between his ex-wife Nicky and Lyon.

The incident has threatened to tear the long-running show apart, with the pair’s relationship under serious strain.

Former Hawthorn captain and The Footy Show regular Shane Crawford said Sam Newman, who is expected to interview Brownless, would not back away from the issue.

“We honestly don’t know what’s going to happen with (Sam Newman) – we just don’t know what he’s going to say or how he’s going to react,” Crawford said.

“Obviously with what’s happened in the last month it will be very interesting to see how he approaches it and what he actually says because, as we all know, he doesn’t hold back and he’s very good friends with Garry and Billy.”

Brownless has refused to comment on the dispute, but will deal with the elephant in the room on the return of the show.

Brownless’s former wife Nicky with their daughter Lucy at home yesterday. Picture: Tim Carrafa

It is believed the show may begin with Brownless talking directly to the camera, followed by Sam Newman asking some direct questions.

The controversy will be foreign territory for the long-running program but insiders say Brownless “still wants his mate back”.

At this stage it is unclear if Lyon, suffering from mental health issues, will return but the network has not given up hope.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands that Lyon was expected to be able bounce back in the way that Wayne Carey has resurrected his media career following his off-field indiscretions.

Brownless will also be mourning the loss of his mate, former Geelong star Paul Couch, who died of a sudden heart attack yesterday.

At the Brownless family home in Geelong yesterday, his former wife, Nicky, was seen several times coming and going with daughter, Lucy.

The mother of four has been trying to maintain some normality and she remained silent on the Lyon issue, with Lucy also not commenting.

Tim Cleary, Channel 9’s Head of Production and Programming, said The Footy Show would address the issue.

“The Footy Show is many things, but one thing we don’t do is shirk issues and Thursday night won’t be any different,’’ he said.

“This one is clearly very close to home, and it’s more complex given the situation with Garry’s health, but our audience should know that Billy will be there and there’s some things he wants to say.

“It won’t be an easy night for any of us but we’ll deal with things as best we can.”

The Sunday Herald Sun was unable to contact Brownless yesterday.

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