Melbourne-based reality television personality and fitness entrepreneur Sam Wood was held on remand over the weekend following charges related to domestic violence. The 46-year-old former contestant on the third season of the international franchise The Bachelor was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting. The alleged incident took place in the early hours of October 4 at a residence on Hastings Street in Noosa, Queensland.
Police responded to reports of an alleged domestic violence event shortly after 2 a.m. Upon arrival, officers arrested Wood, who was subsequently refused police bail. He is scheduled to appear before the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
Wood initially gained public attention through his appearance on The Bachelor and later developed a prominent online fitness brand. In 2022, he sold his business, 28 by Sam Wood, to Melbourne-based genomics company myDNA for approximately $71 million but has remained the public face of the brand. Earlier this year, Wood launched a new venture called Ollo for Woman, which integrates weight-loss medication with traditional health and fitness coaching.
On social media, where Wood has over 250,000 followers, he posted a cryptic message roughly 10 hours before his arrest, stating, “The comeback is personal. It’s an apology to myself.” He followed this with a comment emphasizing personal growth and resilience, highlighting the potential to find motivation in the future rather than dwelling on the past.
Wood and his wife, Snezana, whom he met during The Bachelor, have been active in Melbourne’s real estate market. They recently purchased a home in the suburb of Brighton for $7.15 million after selling their five-bedroom property in Elsternwick. The Elsternwick home had been previously listed with an asking price around $6.6 million.
In addition to the legal issues relating to the domestic violence charges, Wood has been involved in ongoing tax disputes. Last October, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) initiated civil proceedings seeking repayment of a tax bill exceeding $7.3 million, inclusive of interest. Court documents indicate Wood failed to meet income tax obligations across the 2022 to 2024 financial years. Earlier this year, Wood stated that the majority of the amount had been settled and that his legal representatives were in regular contact with the ATO regarding the final payments.
At this stage, Wood’s legal team has not publicly commented on the domestic violence allegations. The court will address the charges at the upcoming hearing.