'Not that dumb': Michael Clarke spills on Lara Bingle rumour
Michael Clarke has once again been forced to address a years-old rumour about how his relationship with Lara Bingle ended.
The former Australian cricket captain dated the model and TV personality for a number of years before they broke up in 2010.
‘DIDN’T TELL’: Umpire spills on more Aussie ball-tampering secrets
NO WAY: Why cricket could be forced to legalise ball-tampering
Clarke and Bingle were engaged to be married, however they called things off shortly after a nude photo of Bingle from her relationship with AFL star Brendan Fevola emerged online.
One of the most infamous stories from the break-up revolves around Clarke allegedly flushing Bingle’s diamond engagement ring down the toilet during an argument.
Clarke has always denied the rumour and was forced to do so again on Monday after being asked about it by NRL journo Phil Rothfield.
“I don’t want to be rude but I want to know about that diamond ring,” Rothfield asked on Clarke’s Big Sports Breakfast radio show.
“What diamond ring?” Clarke said before Rothfield responded: “The diamond ring that went down the toilet 10 years ago.”
Clarke then explained what really went down.
“I know that people don’t like to believe me. How many times do I have to say, I am dumb, but I’m not that dumb,” he said.
“I’m not flushing any ring down any toilet at any stage. (Lara’s) not that dumb, she’s not flushing any ring either.”
Clarke claims the media hatched up the story because a plumbing truck was parked outside their Bondi apartment.
“Just because there was a plumbing truck people just assumed because we busted up, let’s go with this story,” he said.
“The plumber’s come to get Lara’s ring out of the toilet. Absolute made-up rubbish.”
Michael Clarke splits from wife Kyly
Michael and Kyly Clarke announced in a joint statement in February that their seven-year marriage is ending.
The couple have agreed on a financial settlement and on arrangements to co-parent their four-year-old daughter Kelsey Lee.
The Australian recently published new revelations about the settlement and how the separation has positively affected their relationship.
According to Nick Tabakoff, negotiation of the settlement was a “lightning affair” that hardly required the use of lawyers.
Tabakoff also reported that the separation “has actually made things better for the Clarkes.”
“Ever since Michael moved out of the couple’s Sydney harbourside home in Vaucluse in September, relations between the pair have improved to the point that they are at their best in years.”
Bingle was then dragged into Michael and Kyly’s divorce, with tabloids claiming her new relationship with Aussie actor Sam Worthington ‘haunted’ the Clarkes’ marriage.
“Lara is about to have her third child. She is living the life he always wanted to,” an unnamed source allegedly told New Idea.
“Lots of their old mates think he still has a place in his heart for Lara. You never forget your first love and it’s even harder when they are in the public eye showing off their kids and happy life.
“He is jealous of Sam and what they have.”
