Fitness influencer and television personality Sam Wood has been charged with domestic violence offences in Queensland, authorities confirmed over the weekend.
Wood, who gained fame as the lead in the third season of the Australian version of The Bachelor in 2015, was arrested following an alleged incident on Saturday night and spent the remainder of the weekend in police custody, according to local reports.
Mark Watkin, the acting chief executive of 28 Group—the parent company of Wood’s fitness enterprise 28 by Sam Wood—announced on Monday that Wood has temporarily stepped away from his responsibilities.
“We have all been shocked and saddened by the matters involving Sam Wood,” Watkin stated in a public release.
“We have zero tolerance for domestic violence. While the matter is under investigation and before the court, Sam is on indefinite leave from his duties.”
“Our thoughts are with the family and anyone in the community affected by domestic violence.”
Simultaneously, posts appeared on both Sam Wood’s personal Instagram account and that of his wife, Snezana Wood, stating: “This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family and are thoroughly co-operating with authorities.”
Queensland Police confirmed on Sunday that a 46-year-old man from Victoria had been detained and charged in connection with domestic violence allegations.
The arrest occurred after officers responded to a report at a Noosa residence shortly before 9 p.m. on Saturday.
According to law enforcement, the suspect was charged with causing grievous bodily harm in a domestic setting and unlawfully restraining another person.
The identity of any alleged victims has not been disclosed publicly.
During a court appearance via video link at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, Wood was ordered to remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.
Wood’s legal representative, Mathew Cuskelly, confirmed outside court that bail applications would be filed later in the week.
“He’s simply worried about his family. A bail application will be heard on Thursday,” Cuskelly told reporters.
“The charges will be defended.”
The personal trainer rose to prominence after being cast as the central figure in the third season of the reality dating series in 2015.
It was during the show that he met Snezana Markoski, one of the contestants vying for his affection. The pair married in 2018 in Byron Bay and share four daughters, including one from Markoski’s prior relationship.
In addition to his television career, Wood owns and operates a personal training facility in Brighton East, Melbourne, known as The Woodshed.
Following his rise to public attention, he founded a health and wellness brand, 28 by Sam Wood, which reportedly sold for $71.2 million in 2022.
Recently, Wood has also expanded into digital health services, launching a telehealth weight management program tailored for middle-aged women, branded as Ollo for Women.
Previously, Wood encountered scrutiny from tax authorities, with the Australian Taxation Office pursuing claims related to unpaid taxes exceeding $7 million. Reports indicate that a resolution was reached earlier this year, leading to the dismissal of the case in September.
Wood is scheduled to face additional court proceedings in Queensland on Thursday.
Guardian Australia has reached out to representatives associated with Wood for comment.
Also Read
- One Nation Relocates Headquarters to Brisbane Office Purchased by Gina Rinehart
- Resilience Amid Global Turmoil: Key Findings from the 2026 ASEAN+3 Financial Stability Report
- State Officials Cite Federal Election Infrastructure Cuts as Barrier to Countering Midterm Interference
- Anthropic Accelerates IPO Timeline for November Debut at Up to $2 Trillion Valuation