Bachelorette couple Georgia Love and Lee Elliott announce split after four years of marriage - following months of break-up rumours: 'Lovingly parted ways' - suong

   

Georgia Love and Lee Elliot have split following four years of marriage.

The couple, who first met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, announced their separation with identical posts to Instagram on Friday evening.

'After nine wonderful years together, including four as husband and wife, [we] have made the incredibly difficult decision to lovingly part ways,' they wrote.

'Our relationship has been so special and we will always cherish the memories, love, and laughter we've shared. 

'There is no drama, no bad blood. Just two people who have grown in different directions while still holding deep respect and care for each other.

'We remain friends and we'd really appreciate our privacy as we navigate this next stage. Thank you.'

Georgia Love and Lee Elliot have split following four years of marriage
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Georgia Love and Lee Elliot have split following four years of marriage

Georgia and Lee have fulled rumours they had split for some time as it had been more than four months since they were seen together

They pair spent Christmas apart with their respective families before Georgia jetted off to New York City for a holiday without Lee. 

They were also both spotted without their wedding bands, which led to a wave of speculation online which suggested they had ended their relationship. 

It seemed the pair were still living under the same roof at their marital home in Melbourne as recently as Saturday. 

Georgia was spotted making a trip to a nail salon before she headed to the home to prepare for a drinks night.   

The former reality TV star was not wearing her wedding ring during the outing and had been seen without the diamond sparkler for months. 

Shortly after, Lee returned home driving a tradesman's ute while wearing a bright yellow uniform. 

He went inside to change into his workout clothes before heading to the gym. 

The couple, who first met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette , announced their separation with identical posts to Instagram on Friday evening
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'After nine wonderful years together, including four as husband and wife, [we] have made the incredibly difficult decision to lovingly part ways,' they wrote
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The couple, who first met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette , announced their separation with identical posts to Instagram on Friday evening

A little while later, Georgia left the house on her own, dressed nicely for drinks.

An unknown man, possibly a neighbour or friend of Georgia's, was walking his dog when he saw the brunette and stopped to say hello.

He put his dog in his own car before chatting to Georgia and handing her an envelope.

The pair seemed to be engaged in an animated conversation before Georgia returned to her car.

Georgia then continued out to Tombo Den, a Japanese-inspired restaurant and sake bar in Melbourne, where she enjoyed a low key evening with a friend.

As for Lee, he opted for a night out with friends at Mya Tiger, an Asian restaurant inside The Espy at St Kilda.

Last month, a source told Daily Mail Australia the pair were well and truly over after spending Christmas and the new year apart.

'The time apart could be good for them and I think they both have had an opportunity to see what life would be like if they did [officially] separate,' they said.

Georgia and Lee are pictured at a red carpet event back in October. They haven't been seen together since
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Georgia and Lee are pictured at a red carpet event back in October. They haven't been seen together since

The pair met and fell in love on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, which saw Georgia, a former TV news reporter, choose tradie Lee as her winning suitor over Matty 'J' Johnson (left)
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The pair met and fell in love on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, which saw Georgia, a former TV news reporter, choose tradie Lee as her winning suitor over Matty 'J' Johnson (left)

The source added Lee 'has always supported Georgia following her dreams' and 'I think whatever happens, they will remain friends in the long term'. 

'Everyone, including them, is hoping they make things work and I guess that's why they have been so reluctant to address anything officially,' they said.

Fans on Instagram continued to press Georgia about her husband's whereabouts while she was away in New York.

She had not confirmed a split or a trial separation at the time, but simply said he was 'at home' while she was living it up in the states for New Year's Eve.

'Where is Lee?' one user asked in her comments section, adding a sad-faced emoji.

'He's at home, I'm here visiting my friend,' Georgia replied, adding she was 'incredibly tired of this question'.

One follower asked, 'Oh, you've split up with Lee?' which prompted another to reply: 'Poor Lee.'

'Why?' Georgia bluntly answered.

They married in 2021 at the Frogmore Creek Winery outside Hobart, followed by an outdoor reception at the Shene Distillery
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 They married in 2021 at the Frogmore Creek Winery outside Hobart, followed by an outdoor reception at the Shene Distillery

The only time Georgia directly addressed the split rumours was last month when she responded to a follower who asked if Lee was joining her on her Boxing Day flight to the Big Apple and, if not, why.

'Best to stop speculating, least of all on my own page,' she said. 'If I had anything to tell you all, I would do so myself.'

Georgia and Lee haven't been pictured together since October and Georgia has attended several events without her diamond wedding rings, including at a Christmas party where Lee was notably absent.

Questions were first raised when Georgia posted a video on social media of herself decorating her Christmas tree at home and there was nothing on her left ring finger. 

Soon after, another photo showed her at an outdoor café with a friend and she was also ring-less—which suggested the earlier clip was not a one-off.

Noticing this was unusual for Georgia, eagle-eyed fans flocked to the comments section to ask if she and Lee had called time on their relationship.

This, in turn, prompted others to note the pair hadn't been pictured together in a few months, leading to speculation they could become Australia's 'first Bachelor divorce'.

The pair met and fell in love on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, which saw Georgia, a former TV news reporter, choose tradie Lee as her winning suitor.

They married in 2021 at the Frogmore Creek Winery outside Hobart, followed by an outdoor reception at the Shene Distillery.

The lovebirds had been due to marry in Italy the year prior, but were forced to cancel due to Covid travel restrictions.

The following year, they moved into their $1.3million townhouse in Melbourne's upmarket suburb of Hampton East.