Grant Denyer apology: Dancer Lily Cornish breaks silence on New Idea retraction

Grant Denyer apology: Dancer Lily Cornish breaks silence on New Idea retraction
Grant Denyer apology: Dancer Lily Cornish breaks silence on New Idea retraction

Professional dancer Lily Cornish has spoken out after New Idea magazine apologised for falsely claiming she was having an affair with married TV presenter Grant Denyer. 

Lily, 22, who is partnered with Grant, 44, on the upcoming season of Seven's Dancing with the Stars, reposted the publication's apology on Instagram on Monday, and also shared a 7News Sydney report on New Idea's retraction.

Lily, the daughter of former beauty queen and Tasmanian newsreader Jo Palmer, didn't offer any further comment.

Response: Dancer Lily Cornish (left) has spoken out after New Idea magazine apologised for falsely claiming she was having an affair with married TV presenter Grant Denyer (right)

Response: Dancer Lily Cornish (left) has spoken out after New Idea magazine apologised for falsely claiming she was having an affair with married TV presenter Grant Denyer (right)

On Monday, New Idea apologised to Lily, Grant and his wife Chezzi after publishing a story falsely implying the former Sunrise weatherman was having an affair with a woman half his age.

The tabloid reached a confidential settlement with the Denyers after they called in the lawyers over an October 18 front-page article that suggested Grant was romantically involved with Lily after meeting on set of DWTS: All Stars.

The publication printed an apology in its latest edition and online, acknowledging the story was false and that Grant and Lily never had an affair.

Retraction: Lily, 22, who is partnered with Grant, 44, on the upcoming season of DWTS, reposted the publication's apology on Instagram on Monday

Coverage: She also shared a 7News Sydney report on New Idea's retraction

Retraction: Lily, 22, who is partnered with Grant, 44, on the upcoming season of DWTS, reposted the publication's apology (left) on Instagram on Monday, and also shared a 7News Sydney report on New Idea's retraction (right)

The apology reads: 'On 18 October 2021, [publisher] Are Media and New Idea published an article that conveyed that Grant Denyer was having an extra-marital affair with his Dancing with the Stars: All Stars dance partner, Lily Cornish, and that his wife, Chezzi was heartbroken as a result. The article was false.

'Are Media and New Idea acknowledge that Grant Denyer and Lily Cornish are not having an extra-marital affair. They have never had an affair.

'Are Media and New Idea regret publishing the article.

'Are Media and New Idea wish to sincerely apologise to Grant Denyer, Chezzi Denyer and Lily Cornish for the hurt and embarrassment caused by the article.'

Dignified silence: Lily (pictured with the Denyers) didn't offer any further comment

Dignified silence: Lily (pictured with the Denyers) didn't offer any further comment

Apology: On Monday, New Idea apologised to Lily, Grant and his wife Chezzi after publishing a story falsely implying the former weatherman was having an affair with a woman half his age

Apology: On Monday, New Idea apologised to Lily, Grant and his wife Chezzi after publishing a story falsely implying the former weatherman was having an affair with a woman half his age

Grant hailed the magazine's mea culpa as a victory on Monday, telling his Instagram followers he hopes the apology 'sets a serious precedent for the future'.

The Channel 10 star also said he'd reached a 'suitable confidential settlement outside of court', but did not specify if New Idea paid any damages.

He engaged the services of Richard Leder and Georgie Austin from Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Renee Enbom QC with the intention of suing New Idea.

However, the matter never made it to court after a settlement was reached.

New Idea published a front-page story on October 18 falsely implying Grant was having an affair with dancer Lily. 

The magazine included photos of Grant with his hand on Lily's thigh in between rehearsals for Dancing with the Stars: All Stars in Sydney.

Statement: The magazine printed an apology in its Monday edition and online, acknowledging the story was false and that Grant and Lily never had an affair. Pictured: Grant and Chezzi

Statement: The magazine

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