Renee Wright and Charlie Waide, pictured in 2011, have two children. Picture / Norrie Montgomery
Renee Wright and Charlie Waide, pictured in 2011, have two children. Picture / Norrie Montgomery
Popular TVNZ weather girl Renee Wright is struggling through a marriage crisis, close friends told The Diary.
The 34-year-old mother-of-two walked out on her four-year marriage to builder Charlie Waide before Christmas, and has moved in with her parents in Takapuna.
Wright wouldn't comment, but her father, Warren, a retired policeman, told The Diary the couple were apart and his daughter and two grandchildren are living with him and his wife Marian.
"We are her family and we will always support her," Mr Wright said.
A close friend and TVNZ co-worker said the split was irrevocable and the weather girl was coping the best she could with the marriage breakdown. She had shared the news with her nearest and dearest.
Waide is determined to try to re-build his shattered marriage.
He told The Diary: "We are still married, we are not divorcing. We are 100 per cent together.
"The only reason we are not living together is because we are renovating our home and Renee and the kids moved in with her family before Christmas. We are living separately because we're working on our house. I'm living in the house, I'm a builder, and Renee has moved in with her parents."
It is a sad state of affairs for the bubbly TVNZ star who is determined to keep up appearances in public. But away from the studio, Wright has removed her rings. A confidante says she doesn't want to face the whispers.
"Renee wears her wedding rings on television because she doesn't want the public to know her marriage has broken up. But she's strong, she's getting there."
The couple have been eager to share the news about their relationship in the past, negotiating deals with women's magazines on their lavish wedding in the Wairarapa and their five-week honeymoon in France, Italy and Switzerland.
Max Key interns in Sydney
First Kid Max Key said goodbye to his folks' plush Parnell pad last week to take up a one-month intern job in Sydney. The Auckland University student (19) and part-time DJ is following in his dad's brogue steps, and working at a private bank. The internship will give Max work experience - but means his parents won't be empty-nesters for long.
There was little chemistry between 3rd Degree co-hosts Samantha Hayes (left) and Duncan Garner (right).
Bosses for TV3's current affairs show 3rd Degree were, ironically, evading the third degree this week when asked how soon the programme will return to air, and who will be presenting it.
"That hasn't been announced just yet," said executive producer Terence Taylor. Decisions had been made, he said, but he won't reveal what they are.
Duncan Garner is returning as presenter, The Diary understands. But Taylor won't clarify Sam Hayes' position. The network says she will remain on the show, but won't confirm if she will be co-presenter again.
There was little chemistry and camaraderie evident between Garner and Hayes in the studio last year. Ratings fell flat.
Hayes will juggle 3rd Degree commitments and co-present TV3's late-night news with BFF and flatmate David Farrier, with whom she does have chemistry.
3rd Degree is anticipated to return in six weeks. Rival Sunday on TV One returned to screens on January 25.
Danielle Cormack posted this picture of her and boyfriend Adam Anthony at the AACTA Awards last month.
1. Danielle Cormack (right) has been keen to keep her director/producer boyfriend, Adam Anthony, under the radar, but why? The good-looking pair stole the show on the red carpet at the AACTAs.
2. Which fading star is linked to a fraudulent business?
3. Which media boss went berserk when a certain journo dialled him directly? What's he hiding?
4. Which former sporting wife is now a high-class escort?
5. Lorde flagged the Grammy Awards, but said she was inspired by Kanye West's performance, calling him a "guiding light". His singing, not his ranting, right? We trust she wasn't referring to his obnoxious slapdown of multi-Grammy winner Beck.
