Comedian Rove McManus has long been a smiling presence on our TV screens, providing his fans with a good laugh when we’ve needed it most. But behind the scenes, the TV funnyman admits he struggled to cope after losing his first wife, actress Belinda Emmett, to breast cancer in 2006.
Belinda and Rove first met in 1999.
(Image: Getty)In a recent podcast interview, the notoriously private 49-year-old bravely opened up about the unimaginable grief he faced in the wake of Belinda’s tragic passing at just 32.
Speaking on Jessica Rowe’s podcast, the father-of-one admitted that he would regularly ‘shut down’ as a way of dealing with questions about the former Home And Away star or her health.
‘I would give them a very brief answer,’ he revealed on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show.
‘At the time, it was difficult because you’re trying to juggle what you’re dealing with in life with what you’re dealing with at work. And again, having to do promotion, which is part of the job, as people want to know what you’re doing. But then people want to know what’s happening at home. It’s none of your business what’s happening at home!’
McManus hosted his variety show ‘Rove’ from 1999 to 2009.
(Image: Getty)Rove and Belinda met in 1999 and were married in 2005. Just 21 months later, the actress, best known for her role as Rebecca Nash on the popular Aussie soap, tragically lost her battle.
‘I don’t know what I did to be given the gift of Belinda Emmett, but whatever it was, I am glad I did it,’ the priest quoted Rove as saying at the time of Belinda’s funeral.
McManus married second wife Tasma Walton in 2009.
(Image: Getty)Rove is now married to actress Tasma Walton, also 49. The couple, who wed in 2009, share nine-year-old daughter Ruby together.
In a previous interview with the West Weekend, Tasma, who also appeared on Home And Away, revealed she had played matchmaker for her friends Rove and Belinda all those years ago.
‘We were all at a Fox Studios opening, and I had obviously worked with Rove on his show, worked with Belinda, thought they would be an interesting couple and introduced them,’ she said.
