James Packer's ex-wife Erica and MasterChef star Shannon Bennett call it quits after 18 months of dating: 'Was always going to be a challenge'
Erica Packer and Shannon Bennett have split after 18 months together.
The former singer, 47, and celebrity chef, 49, are said to have parted ways earlier this year, with friends revealing that distance was a big factor in their breakup, according to news.com.au.
Erica, who is the ex-wife of billionaire James Packer, currently resides in London after relocating with her three children to be near her sister.
However, occasional MasterChef judge Shannon lives in Belongil Beach near Byron Bay, with his business Culinary Wonderland being based in Sydney.
'The distance was always going to be a challenge for them,' a friend of the couple told the publication.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
Shannon had previously opened up about navigating their long-distance relationship.
He revealed last year that his girlfriend was doing a lot of travelling to make things work between them.
'She's really good. (Erica is) going back and forwards a lot,' he told the Herald Sun.
He went on: 'It's a fun and amazing adventure. It's amazing we haven't met earlier. We're loving life.
'I'm a very lucky man'.
In April last year, Sunday Confidential reported that the couple had bought a house together just months after they first went public as a couple.
The publication claimed the pair were 'going strong' and had decided to expand after living in Shannon's $2million beachfront property at Belongil Beach.
Between them, the lovebirds share nine children, with Shannon sharing Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux with ex partner Madeleine West.
Meanwhile, Erica co- parents children Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle with ex-husband James.
Shannon and Erica were first spotted out and about together in 2023 over the Christmas holidays.
Erica married former husband James in 2007 and they later split in 2013, but are on good terms as they co- parent their three children.
Erica reportedly received a $100 million divorce payment, and purchased a family home in Los Angeles shortly after the break-up.
In contrast, Shannon's relationship with ex-partner Madeleine West is not as amicable.
Shannon, who rose to fame on MasterChef Australia, split from Madeleine in September 2018 after 13 years of dating.
Madeleine later stated the separation process 'turned love toxic'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
26 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Palestine Action documentary makers fear being criminalised under anti-terror laws
The makers of an award-winning documentary about Palestine Action say they fear they will be criminalised if they continue distributing the work after the group is banned under anti-terror laws. The online release of To Kill a War Machine was brought forward to this week after it emerged that the Home Office was going to proscribe the protest group, which takes direct action against Israeli arms companies in the UK. The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced plans on Monday days after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and spray-painted two military planes red. A draft of a proscription order against Palestine Action will be presented to parliament on Monday. If passed, the ban would become law, making it illegal to become a member of the group or invite support for it, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. Since Tuesday, the documentary about their activities has been downloaded by people all over the world, but its directors have been scrambling to take legal advice and fear they will end up being in breach of counter-terror laws if they continue distributing it. Showings of the film have been lined up across Britain in the coming days and weeks – from gatherings in homes through to screenings at cinemas – but there are now doubts about what proscription will mean for this too. Its London-based directors, Hannan Majid and Richard York, said they were concerned that Britain could end up being the only country in the world where people would not be able to see the film. 'We've operated around the world and have a lot of experience of regimes telling us what we can and can't do. We've had authorities in Bangladesh telling us we shouldn't even be editing footage of garment workers and activists advocating for their rights, and we've been followed by the police in Cambodia, but we have never encountered anything like this in Britain,' said Majid. He and York have been working together since 2006 through their production company, Rainbow Collective, on documentaries that focus on human rights and have collaborated with organisations including Amnesty International. To Kill a War Machine was the product of more than six months of work and was made independently of Palestine Action, while using real-time bodycam and phone footage that the group had put into the public domain. Activists are shown smashing and occupying weapons factories in the UK and explaining their motivation for actions they view as legitimate to take in the face of alleged war crimes in Gaza. There are interviews with two activists from Palestine Action, Sohail Sultan and Joe Irving, both of whom were acquitted of charges of causing criminal damage. However, the move to proscribe Palestine Action means there are now question marks over the documentary and events including a London premiere on 18 July. 'We set out to make this film in a completely legitimate and legal manner, as we have done with other films. It's been certified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and it is good to go but now we are being advised that the curtailing of Palestine Action could have a major knock-on effect for us as it could become not only illegal for others to voice support for them but also for us, as film-makers, to distribute this film,' said York. 'People are still excited and there has been a tremendous outpouring of support on social media. Hopefully we can still go ahead with much of our plans, but we have had to rush things forward and do the digital release this week rather than waiting for September and try to build on the awards we have already picked up. That all changed on Monday night and there has been a spike as soon as we put it online,' said Majid. The film-makers are having discussions with distributors in the UK and the US but are alive to the risks. 'On the basis of some of our legal advice, we may not even be able to distribute it in other countries and territories if the film is seen as being somehow in support of a group which is proscribed. We are still hoping to be able to show it in cinemas within the law,' said York. They are also considering whether they will have to withdraw submissions for a range of international film festivals. It is part of the Zanzibar international film festival this week.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Dancing With The Stars' first elimination: Aussie icon sent home after BRUTAL slate from judges: 'Seven weeks wasted'
Dancing With The Stars ' first elimination of the 2025 season has seen a beloved Aussie icon dance their last dance. On Sunday night, this year's rookie ballroom dancers took to the dance floor in a heated battle for a spot in next week's lineup. Susie O'Neill, lovingly known as Madame Butterfly, struggled to move past her discomfort with close contact, a hurdle that saw her foxtrot receive low scores. Despite the phenomenal performances across the board, one 2025 participant had to bid farewell to the dancefloor and that star was Olympic swimmer Susie, who scored bottom of the leader board with 15 points. The judges admired her growing confidence and praised some of her footwork, but straight-shooter Craig Revel Horwood was brutal in his criticism. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Seven weeks and seven hours a day wasted, I'd say' he said. Despite the criticism, Madame Butterfly left with her head held high, beaming with pride as she expressed her gratitude for not only learning how to dance, but how to hug. Up first on Sunday was 7NEWS presenter Michael Usher, who raised temperatures with a fiery paso doble. Despite 'missing a matador position' and appearing 'too square', the judges were impressed with his characterisation and cape work. Similarly to Susie, AFL star Trent Cotchin overcame his unease with close proximity as he took on the foxtrot, which he dedicated to his family. The midfielder made a few footstep mistakes but was hailed for his storytelling ability, flowing movements and clear improvement. 'Something just clicked for you this week, I am so impressed with that change, well done!' said Sharna Burgess of the footy star's progress. This week, boxer Harry Garside showed his softer side in a moving contemporary number. Brittany Hockley (pictured left) closed the show with a bang, offering a high-energy samba with big risks that paid off - and nabbed her number one spot on the leader board with 31 points While his vulnerability was praised, Mark Wilson thought he had played it 'emotionally safe', which saw Helen Richey chime in with a challenge. 'I said you might be the heavyweight in this competition. Don't you prove me wrong Harry.' TV star Rebecca Gibney was the picture of grace as she took to the floor with the Viennese waltz, sweetly choreographed to her wedding song. The Gold Logie winner was hailed for her natural elegance, regal form and innate class, but was encouraged to work on her control and transitions. However, it was Brittany Hockley who closed the show with a bang, offering a high-energy samba with big risks that paid off - and nabbed her number one spot on the leader board with 31 points. 'For all the other competitors so far, they need to watch what you have just done,' Mark commended her, with Sharna and Helen mimicking his sentiments. Craig likened the samba to a Violet Crumble, calling it 'pretty brittle', but praised Brittany's determination and effort.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Wimbledon's perfect match! Emma Raducanu emulates Carlos Alcaraz in a purple training outfit after she finally responded to their romance rumours
Emma Raducanu was seen emulating Carlos Alcaraz 's purple training top with a similar outfit of her own on Sunday. Raducanu, 22, was seen practising at the All-England Club ahead of her first-round match against Mimi Xu. Pictures showed her forehand and backhand in full swing as she sported the striking purple outfit on court. She was also seen with fellow Brit Katie Boulter, who will go up against ninth seed Paula Badosa on Centre Court. MORE TO FOLLOW...
