An emotional Billy Brownless has opened up about the hurt and anger he has suffered since news broke of his friend and fellow AFL Footy Show personality Garry Lyon's affair with his ex-wife Nicky.
Talking on the first AFL Footy Show for 2016, Brownless and co-hosts James Brayshaw and Sam Newman addressed the scandal head-on, including firing up over rumours Lyon was having an affair with one of the former Geelong star's daughters.
Brownless said he shot off angry texts "that you wouldn't want to repeat on this show" to Lyon and Nicky after hearing the news of their affair, and had not talked with Lyon for months.
Lyon has stepped down from all media duties as he battles depression.
The former Geelong footballer said he had "a hunch" something was going on, but both Lyon and Nicky denied it.
"We've been very good mates for a very long time and that's what hurts you the most, because there's a bit of lying going on there, a bit of behind the back stuff," he said.
Both Brownless and Lyon had separated from their wives when the relationship started.
Despite no longer being married to Nicky, Brownless said "a good mate wouldn't do that" and described the affair as "morally wrong".
"You don't touch a man's wallet, you don't touch a man's wife," he said.
Brownless broke down as he talked about the impact the affair and its media coverage had on his four children.
His son Oscar turned 16 during the media storm and Brownless said the family could not have a party or buy presents because journalists and photographers were waiting for them.
Brownless, Newman and Brayshaw all had strong words over the rumours it was Brownless's 20-year-old daughter, Lucy, who had an affair with Lyon.
"That is the worst rumour I've heard, that's the one that hurts the most. Lucy is a 20-year-old girl and it's totally incorrect, unfounded, not true, bulls*** and that's the one that hurts the most," Brownless said.
"And whoever's peddling it out there please stop, it's just totally unfair, she's a 20-year-old girl, she's got nothing to do with this.
Brayshaw said it was "despicable" that rumours were being spread about Ms Brownless.
"It's totally and utterly factually incorrect and those people should frankly be ashamed of themselves," he said.
Newman reached out to Lyon during the segment to acknowledge the hard time he was having and that he hoped Lyon would eventually come back to the show.
Brownless also added that he and everyone at the AFL Footy Show wished Lyon a speedy recovery.
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