Aussie TV personality Samuel Johnson has opened up about the heartbreaking reason he has remained single for so long, following the death of his girlfriend more than a decade ago.
The 41-year-old has revealed in an emotional interview with Who magazine the challenges faced when it comes to finding love again and what has stopped him from doing so.
Speaking about his rumoured love interest with his late sister’s best friend Emma Rooke, the former Dancing With The Stars contestant said he is still hurt by the loss of his girlfriend and “scared” to begin a life with someone new.
“I’ve been too scared to be in another relationship since my girlfriend died 13 years ago,” he told Who.
Adding: “I’m lucky to have good friends around me.”
Samuel’s former partner Lainie tragically took her own life back in 2006, just hours after the actor had ended their relationship. Her death has continued to impact Samuel’s life with the star even dedicating a dance to Lainie during his time on Dancing With The Stars.
The radio presenter appeared emotional as he span his professional partner Jorja Rae Freeman round the dance floor earlier this year to the song ‘Shallow’ from Lady Gaga movie A Star Is Born, but only revealed the reason for the moving Rumba routine at the end.
“I had a partner… her name was Lainie and she died from a sore heart,” he told host Amanda Keller following the performance. “I’ve been thinking a lot because you told me to be romantic this week, that was the brief.”
He added: “I haven’t been able to be romantic since then, not really. So I thought I’d just try and think of her during the song and maybe that’ll make it beautiful.”
This wasn’t the first time Samuel has opened up about his heartbreak. Speaking about Lainie’s sudden death during a segment of ABC’s Anh’s Brush With Fame in 2017, he described it as his “biggest sadness”.
“The love of my life hanged herself,” he told Anh Do, according to the Mail Online. “And, I’m still very upset for her and for her family.”
He added: “I’d definitely say it’s probably my life’s biggest sadness. And in a way, the more time goes by, the more it hurts.
“You know how they reckon that you come to terms with your grief as you go along? Not with this one. With every year it gets more profound. My sadness grows.”