Former Bachelor star Sam Wood charged in Australia

Published: 05 October 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Australian fitness entrepreneur and former reality television star Sam Wood has been charged with domestic violence offences following an alleged incident at a property in Noosa, Queensland. The 46-year-old was arrested by police after officers responded to a report of alleged domestic violence on Saturday night and was subsequently charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting.

Wood, who became nationally recognised after appearing as the lead in the third season of the Australian version of The Bachelor, appeared by video link before Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. He was remanded in custody following the hearing, with his lawyer indicating that a bail application would be made later in the week.

The charges have not been proven in court, and the identity of the alleged victim or victims has not been publicly disclosed. Wood’s legal representative has said the charges will be defended.

The case has attracted considerable public attention because of Wood’s high profile as a television personality, fitness entrepreneur and social media figure. He built a substantial business following his appearance on The Bachelor and has remained a recognisable name in Australia’s fitness and lifestyle industries.

Queensland police said officers attended an address in Noosa at approximately 9pm on Saturday after receiving reports of an alleged domestic violence incident. A 46-year-old Victorian man was arrested and later charged with two offences relating to the alleged incident.

Police did not publicly identify the man in their initial statement, but subsequent reports confirmed that the person charged was Wood. Authorities have provided limited information about the circumstances surrounding the allegations, and the matter is now before the courts.

The developments have also had immediate consequences for Wood’s professional activities. Mark Watkin, acting chief executive of 28 Group, the parent company of the fitness business 28 by Sam Wood, said on Monday that Wood had stepped away from his responsibilities indefinitely.

The company said it had been shocked and saddened by the allegations and stressed that it maintained zero tolerance for domestic violence. It also emphasised that the matter remained under investigation and was before the court.

Wood and his wife, Snezana Wood, also issued a joint statement through their respective social media accounts. They described the situation as a difficult period for the family and said they were cooperating fully with authorities.

The couple first met publicly in 2015 when Snezana Markoski appeared as a contestant on the third season of The Bachelor, with Wood serving as the programme’s central figure. Their relationship continued after the series and they became engaged before marrying in Byron Bay in 2018.

They have four daughters, including one from Snezana’s previous relationship. The family has maintained a public profile through social media and Wood’s work in the fitness and lifestyle sectors.

Wood’s television appearance helped establish the foundation for a broader business career. After The Bachelor, he expanded his personal training and nutrition activities and developed the 28 by Sam Wood fitness business, which grew into a substantial online and lifestyle brand.

The company was eventually sold in 2022 for a reported $71.2 million, marking a significant commercial success for the fitness entrepreneur. Wood subsequently remained involved in the health and wellness sector through other ventures, including his personal training studio and more recent digital health projects.

He owns and operates The Woodshed personal training studio in Brighton East, Melbourne, and has continued to promote fitness and nutrition through various commercial activities.

More recently, Wood launched Ollo for Women, a telehealth-based weight-loss platform aimed at middle-aged women. The business reflects his continued involvement in the health and wellness market and his effort to build new ventures beyond his original fitness brand.

The domestic violence charges have nevertheless led to immediate scrutiny of businesses associated with Wood. Foxes Den, a ready-meal company that had partnered with 28 by Sam Wood, announced on Monday that it was ending its association with him.

The decision reflects the wider commercial consequences that can follow when a high-profile business figure becomes the subject of serious criminal allegations. Companies often reassess relationships with public personalities when allegations could affect their reputation or conflict with corporate values.

Wood has also faced financial scrutiny in recent years. The Australian Taxation Office had pursued him over alleged unpaid tax debts reportedly exceeding $7 million. Court records indicated in August that a settlement had been reached, with the case subsequently dismissed in September.

The tax dispute was separate from the domestic violence allegations and does not form part of the criminal charges currently before the Queensland court.

The latest legal case now represents a significantly more serious challenge for Wood because of the nature of the allegations and their potential impact on his family, professional reputation and business interests.

Domestic violence remains a major social and legal issue in Australia, with authorities and community organisations continuing to emphasise the importance of protecting people experiencing violence within relationships and families. Allegations involving well-known public figures can attract intense attention, but legal proceedings require allegations to be assessed through the courts rather than through public speculation.

Wood’s case will now proceed through the Queensland legal system. His lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, said Wood was primarily concerned about his family and confirmed that a bail application would be heard on Thursday.

Wood is expected to return to court later in the week. The hearing will be an important next step in determining his immediate legal circumstances while the allegations continue to be investigated and the prosecution and defence prepare their respective cases.

The charges of assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation are serious offences, but an accusation does not establish guilt. Wood remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until a court determines otherwise.

The lack of public information about the alleged victim or victims also means that many details surrounding the incident remain unknown. Authorities have not released information that would identify those involved, and protecting the privacy and safety of alleged victims is an important consideration in domestic violence proceedings.

For Wood, the case has already created a sharp contrast with the public image he developed over more than a decade. His television career presented him as a fitness-focused entrepreneur and family man, while his businesses built on that public identity to reach a large consumer audience.

The immediate decision by his business group to place him on indefinite leave indicates the seriousness with which the allegations are being treated. It also allows the company to distance its operations from the legal proceedings while authorities and the courts determine the facts.

The response from commercial partners suggests that the consequences may extend beyond the courtroom. Brands associated with Wood could face pressure from customers and the wider public depending on how the case develops. At the same time, any final assessment must wait for the legal process to run its course.

The case has also brought renewed attention to the responsibilities of public figures whose businesses and personal brands are closely connected to their private lives. For entrepreneurs who build companies around personal reputation, allegations of serious misconduct can have immediate effects on partnerships, employment arrangements and consumer confidence.

As Wood prepares to return to court, the focus will shift from the initial arrest to the legal process that follows. The prosecution will have to establish its case, while Wood’s defence will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations and present its own evidence.

The outcome could have significant consequences for the former reality television star, his family and the businesses that have been built around his name. For now, however, the central facts remain subject to investigation and judicial consideration.

The next court hearing is expected to provide further information about Wood’s bail position and the progression of the case. Until then, the allegations remain matters before the Queensland courts, with the presumption of innocence continuing to apply.