‘It’s a shocker’: Media personalities react to Michael Clarke’s scuffle with girlfriend Jade Yarborough and Karl Stefanovic
Michael Clarke #MichaelClarke
Michael Clarke is facing heavy criticism after video footage emerged of a very public scuffle with his girlfriend and Today host Karl Stefanovic in holiday hotspot Noosa.
The former Australian cricket captain’s behaviour has been labelled as “utterly disgraceful” after footage of the January 10 incident was shared by The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday night.
Talkback radio host Ben Fordham led the charge of media personalities who lambasted the 41-year-old for his continuous swearing in the video and for dragging Stefanovic into the saga.
“Karl Stefanovic’s name has been dragged into it because he happened to be there and Michael Clarke turned on Karl too,” the 2GB Radio host said on Thursday.
“Really, really disgraceful language that was used by Michael Clarke as far as I can see it’s got nothing to do with Karl apart from the fact he happened to be there.
“It’s between Michael Clarke and his girlfriends, it’s a shocker and the language used by Michael Clarke in a public place in front of children was utterly disgraceful.”
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Following Fordham in the morning slot on 2GB was radio stalwart Ray Hadley who also discussed the incident and offered his own advice to Clarke.
“I don’t know Michael Clarke but we’ve all had problems in life Michael, me included,” he said.
“But if I were to give advice to a 41-year-old male adult… it would be along the lines of ‘keep it in your pants son’.”
On FM radio, KIIS106.5 breakfast host Kyle Sandilands said he “nearly died” when he heard the news about the incident as he discussed Clarke’s fracas with co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
“I’m looking at this video and my jaw is to the floor and I’m like ‘I can’t believe what I’m seeing’ thinking this is not the Michael Clarke I know,” Henderson said.
Stefanovic – who appeared in the video – hosted the Today show on Thursday despite the news breaking overnight.
There was no mention of the footage or media storm during the program.
Meanwhile Today’s rival program, Sunrise, spent a lengthy period discussing the argument with entertainment reporter Peter Ford highlighting one of Clarke’s defences in the video.
“He used four words which I think are going to haunt him and goes to his character or what people will perceive of his character when he twice says ‘on my daughter’s life it’s not true’,” Ford said.
“Now, of course, he’s indicating that yes indeed it is true. You don’t pull out that card unless it really is true.”
Clarke will return to Sky Sports Radio show Big Sports Breakfast – which he hosts alongside Laurie Daley and Gerard Middleton – on Monday January 23 where he is expected to address the incident.
A spokesperson for TAB Corp – the company that owns Sky Sports Radio – told SkyNews.com.au: “The company doesn’t comment on the personal matters of its employees”.
The fracas between Clarke and his girlfriend Jade Yarborough began during a dinner with Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine Yarborough, and celebrity accountant Anthony Bell.
The argument is believed to have escalated with the incident being filmed after the dinner at about 9:30pm.
Shocking footage from the confrontation was released by The Daily Telegraph and showed a shirtless Clarke and Jade in a very loud verbal argument with several expletives being used throughout.
Jade is understood to have become aware of text messages between Clarke and his ex-girlfriend Pip Edwards which caused her to accuse the former Australian captain of cheating.
“You f**ked her on December 17 … You f**ked her, you’re a f**king dog,” Jade screamed.
“Baby you’re wrong, you’re wrong,” a shirtless Clarke responded.
“You f**king liar, I saw everything, I saw everything,” supposedly claiming she had seen text messages between the former high-profile couple.
Clarke and Jade continue arguing and at one point he falls over pulling his hamstring and is later seen hobbling around holding his leg while Jasmine tries to pull her sister away.
Between sobs Jade continues her tirade on Clarke and eventually slaps him across the face before Clarke then turns on Stefanovic with another expletive filled rant.
“Karlos (Stefanovic), I can tell you now c***, don’t you f**king walk away. She can, she can punch me but you, you c***,” Clarke is heard saying to his close mate.
The 41-year-old then repeatedly told his girlfriend to hit him. She then slapped him.
Clarke released a statement to the Daily Telegraph admitting he was “shattered” by his actions and took responsibility for the incident.
“I’m absolutely gutted I’ve put people I hold in the highest regard in this position. My actions in the lead-up to this altercation were nothing short of shameful and regrettable,” he said.
“I am shattered that because of my actions I’ve drawn women of class and integrity, and my mates, into this situation.
“I own this fully and am the only one at fault.”