Revealed: Billy Brownless gutted after learning of Garry Lyon’s relationship with ex-wife

EXCLUSIVE: GARRY Lyon has been struck down with depression, while the Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the reason behind his devastating split with mate Billy Brownless.

Social Tour de Crawf Crown Perth and after party 11.7.2013 Garry Lyon and Billy Brownless

• Garry Lyon-Bill Brownless feud threatens Footy Show
• The life and times of Garry Lyon
• Lyon-Brownless rift reason revealed
• Family, friends ‘furious’ with Lyon
• Billy deserves sympathy in Footy Show split

FOOTY legend and popular TV host Garry Lyon is battling depression.

The Melbourne champion is on indefinite leave from The Footy Show after a massive ­falling-out with his best mate and the show’s funnyman, Billy Brownless.

The friendship shattered after Brownless discovered a relationship between his ex-wife Nicky and Lyon.

Yesterday Channel 9 issued a statement saying Lyon will stand down from his various media duties while he seeks treatment for an ongoing mental health condition.

“For several months The Footy Show and Footy Classified co-host has been suffering from a serious mental health condition and he will take time out from all media roles to recover. There is no set time-frame as to when he will return to television,” said Nine Melbourne’s managing director Ian Paterson.

“We are all supporting Garry and hope he will be back to good health very soon. Our priority is his wellbeing.”

Billy Brownless leaving his daughter’s home in Geelong on Saturday. Picture: Jason Edwards

Lyon is no longer with his wife Melissa, who was a great friend of Nicky Brownless.

Lyon’s mental health is believed to have deteriorated over the Christmas holiday period. He is living alone.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands Brownless confronted Lyon over the relationship during the summer break and is gutted.

Yesterday Brownless was in Geelong visiting one of his daughters.

Dressed in a white T-shirt and black shorts, the usually jovial TV personality looked drawn as he dashed from the front door to a parked blue Ford ­Falcon on the street.

“I don’t want to make any comment,” Brownless said.

A source said Brownless, 49, was “absolutely gutted ... devastated” but has been “blown away’’ by the public support he has received since news of the mates’ bust-up broke.

It is understood Brownless is hoping he and Lyon can find a way to repair their friendship.

Footy Show panellist Sam Newman said the situation was a private matter but that he was the “last person on the planet to be giving them advice about how to live their life”.

“Professionally I’m hopeful because it’s very vital to our show that they’re both part of it,” Newman told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“While this has become a very public matter, it is also a very private matter. I hope it works out for everyone’s sake.”

Lyon’s nickname in media circles is Lone Wolf. He is a very private man who keeps to himself and he rarely socialises with any of his Footy Show ­colleagues.

A promotional shoot for the show this Tuesday has been cancelled.

Lyon is the face of Triple M’s AFL footy call coverage and Brownless appears on the station’s Rush Hour show with James Brayshaw.

Triple M Network boss Mike Fitzpatrick, who will meet with Lyon’s manager Craig Kelly this week, said: “We are in discussion with Garry and currently not in a position to make any announcement. We support him through this difficult time.”

The Footy Show will return next month.

James Brayshaw will host the show solo until Lyon is fit to return.

Damian Barrett will fill in for Lyon on Footy Classified.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au/gethelp