“When something ends suddenly, it feels like it’s still there,” Julie Bamford muses softly, tucking her legs up under her on the couch.
Her Melbourne living room is peppered with photos and mementoes of her late fiancé, legendary Aussie motor racing champion Peter Brock.
Time has done nothing to subdue Julie’s love for Peter.
A decade since he lost his life after crashing his car during a rally in WA, she still wears his engagement ring he gave her – despite being publically vilified for the relationship.
Now, spurred on by the release of Channel Ten’s much-anticipated drama Brock, for the first time ever she feels compelled to set the record straight when it comes to their infamous liaison.
WATCH: The late Peter Brock’s last interview. Post continues after the video…
According to Julie, pictured at the 2005 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse with Peter Brock, the pair didn’t hide their romance from his partner Bev.
Julie was painted as the leopard-print clad “other woman”, who stole Peter away from his partner-of-28 years Bev Brock, and their three children. Yet despite the accusations and her sullied reputation, Julie stoically maintained her silence.
“I didn’t want to have to justify who I was to Peter,” Julie tells Woman’s Day, explaining why she kept quiet when Australia learned in late 2005 she and Peter had been having a 15-year affair.
The scandal was further inflamed when it was revealed Julie was a family friend, and in fact, close to Bev.
Bev, pictured with partner Peter in 2004, is said to have known about his affair with Julie.
However, according to Julie, now 62, her closeness to Peter was not forbidden by the late champion’s partner (he and Bev never married), nor conducted behind closed doors.
“There was encouragement, which felt quite alien and very strange. It was like there was an understanding it was okay,” she explains.
To read the full story, pick up the latest issue of Woman’s Day on sale now. Brock continues on Monday, October 10 at 9pm on Channel Ten.
