‘There were potatoes too!’ Studio 10 favourite reveals truth behind sprout row

It was the celebrity Christmas row that shocked Australia last year, and now TV favourite Jono Coleman has revealed what really happened when Brussels sprouts began flying at the Studio 10 festive party.

Tensions erupted between Denise Drysdale, 69, and her former co-star Ita Buttrose, 76, at the 2017 Christmas party after Denise began throwing the veggies around after a long day of filming the show’s festive bash – with one eventually hitting Ita.

Luckily, the pair later buried the hatchet, but it didn’t stop wild rumours flying around about what started the bizarre row – and who was to blame.

Now, speaking in an exclusive chat with Starts at 60, their co-star and friend Jono Coleman, 62, has recalled what really happened behind closed doors – putting the tension down to “cabin fever” as well as a long day of filming in the heat.

Asked if he thinks there will be a repeat argument this year, Jono said: “No. The thing is the whole thing with Ita was blown out of proportion anyway! It was just one of those things when it was a fake Christmas lunch in a restaurant, with Sarah’s kids, Joe’s baby and all of us in a hot room.

“By about take six or seven or eight, everyone was tired. Denise had started chucking around a few Brussels sprouts and it was just cabin fever, brought on by Brussels sprouts!”

He explained that the panel had to film with real food in front of them for hours, all while battling the heat inside the restaurant and struggling to cope with the restless kids.

“Then a bit of champagne came out to keep us all happy and I think Denise got a bit carried away,” he added. “Between Craig Bennett and Denise Drysdale, there were a few Brussels sprouts and a few potatoes too! It was potatoes and sprouts, but I think one of the sprouts did make contact with Ita. They were only little new potatoes but still!

“I think cabin fever had set in after shooting straight after the show, first of all on an ice rink and then in a restaurant. It was November so it was hard. There won’t be any of that this year!”

Denise previously confirmed she had been forced to apologise to Ita after she threw the vegetables at her. While Ita initially kept a dignified silence, she later dismissed rumours of a “feud”. Showing she kept her humour intact throughout, Ita reportedly joked: “I love Brussels sprouts, especially when you sprinkle them with nutmeg but unfortunately the ones that were involved did not have nutmeg on.”

That came after Denise blamed her behaviour on her having one too many drinks at the bash, and told the Herald Sun at the time that they had since made up.

Speaking in an exclusive chat with Starts at 60 at the Logies earlier this year, Denise opened up on the scandal and asked if there will be a repeat of the incident, co-star Joe Hildebrand joked: “Next it will be cabbages,” to which Denise said: “No, next I’m hurling the turkey!”

Studio 10 will have its annual party this year as always, and Jono revealed he has once again been called on to play the part of Santa. However, it’s not always been the easiest job in the past.

“There was a year when I was dressed as Santa Claus, and apart from me coming in on a sleigh I was also in charge of three reindeer – real deer! I had to keep feeding them throughout from my throne in Santa’s grotto!” he recalled.

“Between me and a handler who was dressed as Santa’s helper, we had to keep them quiet and not bored for hours. It was a nightmare! I’m now down for being Santa again this year, and they’ve already floated the idea of having more reindeer on again!”

Jono revealed there will also be some Christmas carols performed by the whole panel, including Denise Drysdale who is currently taking a break from the show for other work commitments.

Read more: ‘Next time I’m hurling the turkey!’ Denise Drysdale reignites sprout feud

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqgWPm1AE-v/

For the TV star, this is a particularly special year to celebrate with his colleagues as it marks exactly a year since he was told he was cancer free. Jono was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, before undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the run up to Christmas.

He kept the news secret, only telling a few of the Channel 10 execs and his close friends on the show, so he’s keen to thank them for all their support this time round.

“Throughout my prostate cancer treatments, Studio 10 have been fantastic, as have the producers and management,” he said.

“They all take it on board. A few other people at Ten like Baz DuBois have gone through it – Baz is still undergoing treatment, he’s just fantastic. There’s a real family feel. They’re my second family!”

Jono recently reunited with his former radio co-star Russ, two decades after their hit Virgin Radio Breakfast show together. The pair are now working on a new radio show in the UK, with Jono based in Sydney while Russ works from England, and they’re busy recording podcasts already for their dedicated fans. Have a listen to them in action here.

Do you remember sprout-gate? Did you follow the story at the time?