James Weir recaps his secret affair with Rose Jacobs after breaking up her marriage to Steve Jacobs

THE estranged wife of a popular TV star has been linked to a “mystery man” after “boozy” photos surfaced. It’s not as it seems.

The affair in action.

IN A malicious attempt at character assassination, an Australian media outlet has grossly tried to out a journalist as heterosexual with the suggestion he’s dating Rose Jacobs, the estranged wife of popular Today show weatherman Steve Jacobs.

What was supposed to be a casual interview with Jacobs, 39, for a feature story on this website quickly snowballed when covert paparazzi shots of my meeting with the mum-of-two — who recently relocated to Sydney from Vanuatu following her split — were shopped around to media outlets.

I imagine a bidding war ensued between Woman’s Day and New Idea but, ultimately, Daily Mail swooped in and scooped them. It’s unclear how much they paid for the exclusive frames but Woman’s Day reportedly paid half a million dollars for secret shots of Jennifer Hawkins’ 2013 wedding, so that seems like an appropriate guide.

Moments later, slanderous rumours were splashing across Daily Mail’s homepage. Their article has now been edited to omit the claims, but screenshots live forever.

Fake news ruins lives.

“Steve Jacobs’ estranged wife Rose enjoys a boozy lunch with a handsome mystery man after jetting to Sydney to ‘restart’ her life amid divorce,” a suggestive headline sprawled over five decks.

It was humiliating. To be accused of being a heterosexual is indescribable. You feel like your world is crashing down.

Just a really sexy date, hope you’re all jealous.

In an instant, my pristine image as a gay man, which I’d spent years curating, was unceremoniously torched. The magnitude of such rumours is damaging.

I immediately called my parents.

“It was a set-up!” I yelled down the line frantically. “Have you seen my jeans!”

I now know exactly how Jennifer Aniston feels. Blatant lies about our personal lives in the tabloids is just one of many similarities we share.

Supporting the bold claims was the money shot of Rose and I hugging, which came at the end of our interview.

If you look closely, I’m incredibly uncomfortable with being so close to a lady — like one of those hairless sphinx cats when you try to pat it.

Despite the trauma, I’m trying to stay positive. A close support network has been crucial. Talks with the legal team who launched Rebel Wilson’s defamation case against Woman’s Day have been going really well. And at the end of the day, I’m just grateful the Mail didn’t describe my outfit as “billowy” like they do with everyone else.

Meow.

LISTENING

Triple J host Linda Marigliano’s weekly Inspired segment — where she talks to a musician about the story behind one of their biggest songs — is now a podcast. Cub Sport’s Tim Nelson is this week’s guest … it’s all a bit beautiful.

READING

Fabulous parties, hidden pasts and LA — who is Anna March? This story in the Los Angeles Times is a good one.

And has it stopped being cool to hate Gwyneth Paltrow yet? Vaginal confessions aside, she’s amazing and the New York Timeshas done a big profile on her this week. Why exactly did we hate her again? Was it because of that whole “consciously uncoupling” invention?

It really wasn’t that annoying. Or maybe I’ve just feeling sympathetic since consciously uncoupling from Rose Jacobs.

Twitter and Facebook: @hellojamesweir