Cricket WAG Kyly Clarke has scored the role of a lifetime as a judge on Seven’s new-look House Rules. And while the 38-year-old interior designer is thrilled to be bringing her expertise to the show, friends say her new role has opened a string of marital wounds with her former Australian cricket captain husband Michael Clarke.
“Kyly is feeling the pressure financially because she has had to step up and contribute to the family budget, while Michael tries to secure a regular media job or even a coaching role,” one insider tells Woman’s Day, adding the sports star has struggled to land a stable job for some time.
According to the source, Michael’s main media job is a gig out of India during the Indian Premier League season, which only lasts a few weeks of the year.
“A media deal Down Under is becoming less and less likely for him,” the source adds.
Michael, 38, was left unsigned by both Foxtel and Seven, who assembled commentary teams of 27 of the greatest former cricketers and presenters.
“He’s furious about the entire situation,” says the friend, adding Michael’s high-profile spats with former cricket legends and commentators Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich have made him “less appealing”.
Kyly Clarke has scored herself a new gig a judge on House Rules.
(Source:Getty)Kyly says her appointment on House Rules is a “dream job”, but it seems the demands of reality TV are slowly becoming too much for the mother-of-one, who for years has produced her own line of lifestyle products while practising as an interior designer.
“She is absolutely struggling to keep up the pace with balancing her work and her role on the show,” another friend tells.
“And she’s not confident she can rely on Michael to run a house.”
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Kyly Clarke is not confident that Michael can run a household.
(Source: Instagram/@kylyclarke)Already, Kyly’s new gig has seen her flown around the country for filming in Victoria, Queensland and Western Sydney.
Recently she conceded she has been overwhelmed by the demands of the role with a pointed post on social media.
“That moment after a 4am start and a huge day of filming,” she captioned a photo of herself looking downcast and exhausted.
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While Kyly is feeling the pressure of having to make her earnings count for herself, Michael and their four-year-old daughter Kelsey Lee, friends says Michael is trying to keep himself busy by looking for new opportunities – but has so far been unsuccessful.
“He is searching for new business partnerships and attempting to cash in on his name and being the Australian cricket captain before it is too late – but the bottom line is he’s not overly popular,” says an insider.
Kyly is now feeling the pressure.
(Source: Getty)Michael is also said to have been actively trying to sell off his three-bedroom beachfront Bondi apartment, which is worth $8 million, but has been unsuccessful.
The sports star also has a share in finance mogul Anthony Bell’s luxury yacht.
And while it’s no doubt a healthy asset for the couple, the vessel is still a sore spot for Kyly.
It’s been a year since Michael and his personal assistant Sasha Armstrong were photographed soaking up the sun and getting close on the boat – and our source says their close relationship is yet another thing causing Kyly anxiety while she’s away from home.
