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The sun was shining on Noosa’s pristine shores on Sunday as Anthony Bell’s wedding celebrations spilled into a breezy after-party at his waterfront mansion.
A day earlier, the high-profile accountant had tied the knot with former cricket WAG Annika Martyn, and many of their famous guests returned for the recovery bash.
A glittering guest list of Australian sport and showbiz royalty mingled under the clear skies, the air buzzing with laughter and the clink of cocktail glasses.
Karl Stefanovic and wife Jasmine were there, as was Terry Biviano and Anthony Minichiello. Grant Hackett joined the fun and Guy Sebastian even took a turn at the DJ decks. Meanwhile, Richard Wilkins canoodled with his new love nearby. Jade Yarbrough – Jasmine’s sister – also looked radiant alongside her new boyfriend, multimillionaire property developer Paul Gedoun.
Bare feet, breezy shirts and linen shorts were the uniform of the day, a perfect complement to the sparkling waters that framed the scene.
But while the Aperol Spritz flowed and the music kept the mood high, one name lingered in whispered conversations: Michael Clarke.
The cricket legend and once-close mate of Bell was conspicuously absent, casting a shadow over an otherwise picture-perfect affair.
Of course, there’s no mystery surrounding why he wasn’t there. It all stems from an incident that happened almost two years ago, not far from Bell’s palatial home.
Anthony and Michael’s long-time friendship became strained after the retired Australian cricket captain was filmed having a heated exchange with his former girlfriend Jade outside a restaurant in Noosa in January 2023.
In the footage, filmed by a passer-by, Jade tearfully accused Michael of sleeping with his ex-girlfriend, fashion designer Pip Edwards, behind her back. Michael protested his innocence, swearing on his daughter’s life he never did it, as Today host Karl – Jade’s brother-in-law and Michael’s friend – tried to stop the fracas.
It was a public relations disaster ‘Pup’ will never live down – and it seems to have cost him his friendship with both Karl and Anthony, who was also his business partner.
The Clarke-Bell rift became public knowledge in March when Michael signed with another management company. At about this time he also sold his share of the $15million superyacht Ghost, which the pair had been co-owners of since 2022.
Months later, Anthony returned serve with a statement to the press that made it clear the end of their business relationship was directly linked to their personal falling-out.
‘Events of 2023 have taken their toll on mine and Michael’s friendship which naturally has made it impossible to conduct a business relationship,’ the money man said.
‘We wish Michael all the best in his future.’
Despite his friendship breakdown with Michael, Anthony is clearly still on very good terms with the sportsman’s ex-girlfriend Jade, who was seen at the party on Sunday.
Jade looked happy and relaxed as she celebrated Anthony and and Annika’s marriage on the arm of her wealthy new beau Paul Gedoun.
Paul, thought to be in his late forties and with two children from a previous relationship, debuted his relationship with Jade in August.
The pair were seen chatting and enjoying a drink before joining Jade’s sister Jasmine and her brother-in-law Karl on the sand.
Also in attendance was Richard Wilkins and his new girlfriend Mia Hawkswell.
The couple couldn’t keep their hands off one another as they chatted to the other guests on the balcony of the incredible home.
Richard looked stylish in a navy buttoned shirt and matching striped shorts while Mia wore a matching coloured Navy mini skirt and top.
The pair’s relationship first came to light in May and they have made a string of loved-up outings together ever since.
They were also joined by Grant Hackett and his wife Sharlene Fletcher.
Sharlene put on a glamorous display in a long pink off-the-shoulder dress which featured a ruffled design along the top.
She was seen enjoying a drink with her Olympic swimmer husband, who donned white pants and a matching-coloured shirt.
In 2016, Grant made headlines after he drank more than half a bottle of gin before a public meltdown during which he was accused of tweaking a man’s nipples.
But those troubles seemed long behind him as he enjoyed non-alcoholic cocktails on Sunday afternoon.
The party comes after Anthony and Annika tied the knot near Noosa on Saturday.
Their nuptials were held on the Sunshine Coast at Yandina Station – a working cattle ranch converted into a luxury country estate set on 14 acres of rural property, with panoramic views of Mt Coolum.
After saying ‘I do’, Annika and and Anthony entertained their guests at a reception held at the venue’s historic Dairy Barn.
‘It was a beautiful ceremony and reception,’ one guest said. ‘You could really feel the love in the room.’
Annika began the day by taking a ‘quick swim’ with her young daughter Taylor and later showed off her enormous new sparkler on social media.
She has been drip-feeding snapshots to her Instagram Stories, which included a sweet family portrait of the bride and groom and their blended family.
Annika shares a four-year-old daughter, Taylor, and a 16-year-old son, Ryder, with her ex-husband, cricketer Damien Martin.
As for Bell, the businessman was previously married to Getaway presenter Kelly Landry. Landry and Bell share two daughters, Charlize, 11, and Thea, eight.
The newlyweds’ children dressed to match them – with Ryder donning a black and white suit, and Bell’s daughters wearing smart black mini dresses with cream bows.
Annika chose a simple halterneck wedding gown, and paired it with a long beaded veil.
The blushing bride posted a video from her fun-filled hens night earlier in the week.
At the start of the clip, Annika was seen getting her hair done by one of her friends before drinking champagne to with her guests.
For the occasion, she wore a Dolce & Gabbana blue, white and gold patterned bustier and matching skirt paired with brown platform shoes.
Annika then put on a bridal veil and danced up a storm with her gal pals.
The group was then seen boarding a small boat before enjoying a cruise around Noosa and showing off their singing skills in a round of karaoke.
Annika captioned the footage: ‘Time for champagne, questionable dance moves and a night to remember.’
‘Everything I wore my beautiful fiancé bought me. So excited to soon be Mrs B. Ready to marry the love of my life.
‘POV: You’re the bride living your best life at your hens, surrounded by your ride-or-dies, questionable dance moves, and enough champagne to sink a ship!’
The pair confirmed their engagement in May, after making their first public appearance at Derby Day in Melbourne in November last year.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the star-studded event, Bell said of his new romance: ‘We’ve been running around together for a few months… but [Derby Day] is our first public outing. How good, we picked a nice quiet event.’
Rumours about the couple’s relationship sparked in September 2023 after Annika shared several snaps enjoying time on Bell’s superyacht in the south of France.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Annika is the Director at Goop Gang, a weight loss program for women.
She was previously married to former cricketer Damien Martyn.
