‘I’m not even going there’: Barnaby Joyce lost for words on ex-wife’s body transformation

Chris Kenny asked Barnaby Joyce the question we all want to know the answer to | WATCH

Barnaby Joyce appeared on The Kenny Report on Sky News this afternoon. Picture: Supplied

Barnaby Joyce has refused to dwell on his ex-wife’s extraordinary transformation into an award-winning bodybuilder, which she says was a direct result of their very public split.

Natalie Joyce has shed 15kg and donned a green bikini to win two medals at the Compete Naturally (ICN) North Coast Classic bodybuilding competition at New Lambton, NSW on Sunday.

Natalie Joyce competing in the in the iCompete Natural bodybuilding competition held in West New Lambton. Picture: Ignacio Tse

Ms Joyce split from the former deputy prime minister last year after it was revealed he had an affair with his staffer and now-partner Vikki Campion.

The ex-Nationals leader was ashen-faced today as he told Sky News he wanted to focus on the people of regional Australia and not his ex-wife on the front pages.

“I’m not even going to start going to that space, I’m going to concentrate on other people, I’m going to concentrate on the people of my electorate,” he said.

“I don’t think there are any votes in speaking about yourself.”

But when pressed by Sky News, Mr Joyce did reveal that he was also trying to keep fit.

“I go for a swim. I’ll do that as soon as I can (after the interview).”

Ms Joyce told Women’s Day magazine this weekend that the public split with Mr Joyce left her “in a bad place” and led to her body transformation.

“I had two choices: either unravel, or shake myself off and aim to get the best out of myself,” she said.

“In June last year I looked in the mirror and thought ‘I’m not going to let someone else’s appalling behaviour derail me’. So I joined the local gym, and I’ve never looked back. And I’ve always wanted to compete in a bodybuilding comp.”