Jake Duke has returned to his duties as NRL commentator on Fox Sports following his high-profile split with Seven’s Grace Fitzgibbon.
The popular TV presenter considered the ‘golden boy’ of Fox Sports has been dumped as a reporter by his girlfriend after receiving a late night call from a female colleague.
Seven News reporter Grace Fitzgibbon was left ‘devastated and heartbroken’ when her boyfriend of three years Jake Duke received a call on February 17.
A source close to the couple told Daily Mail Australia the call to 30-year-old Duke came “in the early hours” from New Zealand rugby league reporter Tiffany Salmond.
That prompted Fitzgibbon, 31, to end the three-year relationship and move out of the couple’s apartment in Freshwater, on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Duke traveled to Fiji on Saturday for the NRL pre-season match between the Newcastle Knights and Melbourne Storm.
Duke returned to his sideline duties for Fox Sports following his high-profile breakup, pictured interviewing Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Duke was spotted at Lautoka Stadium in Fiji battling the heat ahead of the match between the Newcastle Knights and Melbourne Storm
He was spotted at Lautoka Stadium ahead of the match wearing a suit but taking off his jacket in suffocating conditions in Fiji.
The commentary team of Andrew Voss and Steve Roach went to Duke on the sideline early in the game.
“Bula from the sidelines here in Fiji, guys,” Duke said
‘A great day, a great atmosphere for a bit of island rugby competition.
‘The good news for these players, the good news for everyone is the stifling heat. The stifling conditions have eased over the last twenty minutes and kick-off has been slightly delayed.
‘There is also a strong breeze, which favors the Melbourne Storm as they get another set.
“We will still have an extended rest and drinks break before this match as it is still quite warm.”
Duke also featured in a side interview with injured Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, which was interrupted by technical difficulties.
In a move that sparked rumors in TV circles, Fitzgibbon briefly posted a photo of her belongings piled up in cardboard boxes over the weekend.
Jake Duke and Grace Fitzgibbon’s relationship imploded after he received a late-night call from a colleague in New Zealand
Tiffany Salmond (left and right) called Jake Duke ‘in the wee hours of Saturday morning’ and asked his girlfriend to end their three-year relationship
The couple’s split comes just days after they adopted a kitten named ‘Muffin’, with Fitzgibbon posting an image of Duke gently petting the cat.
“Finally, there’s a cat mom who can’t stop crying and can’t stop crying,” the photo captioned.
Both Fitzgibbon and Duke declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
No wrongdoing is suggested by Duke, Fitzgibbon or Salmand.
Salmond, 26, is a freelance sports reporter who made her debut for Fox Sports Australia last September.
Last year she teamed up with Duke at an NRL Warriors match in Auckland.
Duke regularly travels to New Zealand to fulfill his NRL commitments.
Salmond, who is based in Auckland, shared images from a trip to Sydney last week – including shots of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and dining at the Woolloomooloo wharf.
Salmond is an aspiring sports presenter based in Auckland. Above, with Duke on the sidelines
Tiffany Salmond pictured in Sydney last week
Duke and Fitzgibbon, who live together in Freshwater, recently adopted a kitten named Muffin
“I have a background in journalism, reporting and production, with a passion for sports broadcasting and rugby league,” according to her LinkedIn page.
Duke was named ‘Sports Media Person of the Year’ at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards last November.
He also hosts the podcast Refuse to Lose, a platform for athletes who “use their voices to change the world around them.”
Fitzgibbon is the daughter of Joel Fitzgibbon, a retired Labor frontbencher who was defense and agriculture minister when Kevin Rudd was prime minister.
She previously worked for Nine News and is also a registered wedding celebrant.
Tiffany Salmond was contacted for comment.
