Former Bachelor star and fitness influencer Sam Wood has been charged with domestic violence offences in Noosa, Queensland.
The 46-year-old Victorian was arrested after police responded to reports of alleged domestic violence at a beachfront property on Hastings Street around 9 p.
m. on Saturday.
He appeared via video link from a police watch house in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday morning and was refused bail.
The charges include assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting.
Company Places Wood on Indefinite Leave
Following the charges, parent company 28 Group placed the personal trainer on indefinite leave from his duties at the fitness enterprise he founded, 28 by Sam Wood.
Commercial partners also began severing ties, with ready meal provider Foxes Den immediately ending its partnership with the brand.
Mark Watkin, acting chief executive of 28 Group, addressed the ongoing legal proceedings on Monday.
"We have all been shocked and saddened by the matters involving Sam Wood," Watkin said.
"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," Watkin said.
He expressed sympathy for those impacted by the allegations.
"Our thoughts are with the family and anyone in the community affected by domestic violence," Watkin said.
Following the court hearing, defence lawyer Mathew Cuskelly outlined the legal strategy and his client's current focus.
"He's simply worried about his family. A bail application will be heard on Thursday," Cuskelly said.
Cuskelly confirmed that the former television personality intends to contest the allegations formally.
"The charges will be defended," Cuskelly said.
A public message was issued on social media accounts associated with Wood and his wife, Snezana Wood, on Monday morning.
"This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family and are thoroughly co-operating with authorities," the statement read.
In a separate social media update, Snezana Wood reiterated the family's position regarding the investigation.
"This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family," she said.
Wood gained national visibility in 2015 as the lead on the third season of Australia's The Bachelor, where he met Snezana Markoski before marrying her in 2018.
He subsequently launched the fitness company 28 by Sam Wood, which sold in 2022 to myDNA for $71.2 million, and recently launched the telehealth platform Ollo for Women.
Wood is scheduled to return to Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.
