Carrie Bickmore 'rocked' by brutal blow after split from partner

Former host of The Project Carrie Bickmore has reportedly been "rocked to the core" by a brutal blow after announcing her split from partner Chris Walker.

The TV personality revealed they had parted ways after they met on the set of the Channel 10 news program in 2012, two years after her first husband and father to oldest son Ollie, Greg Lange, died following a battle with brain cancer.

In the wake of the split earlier this month, former 7.30 host Leigh Sales and Carrie's former colleague on The Project, Peter Helliar, shared photos on social media as they enjoyed a drink at the pub with Chris.

In her post, Leigh referred to Chris, a senior producer at ABC, as a "legend" and a "great mate", appearing to rally around him after his breakup.

A source told New Idea Carrie was "rocked to the core" after seeing the photos and "it's almost like rubbing salt in the wound".

“Sadly, in Chris and Carrie’s case, the fact they all work in the same industry means they’re bound to have buddies go one way or the other,” the source claimed.

“But Carrie is naturally hurt.”

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The source added however Carrie's friend and radio host Fifi Box has been by her side since the split.

“Fifi is really good for Carrie. She’s no-nonsense and is encouraging her to take it a day at a time and to look after herself for the sake of the kids," the source told New Idea.

Carrie announced her split from Chris in an Instagram post earlier this month, saying, "It's with immense sadness that Chris and I have decided to separate".

"While this is a tough time, our focus is on parenting, loving and supporting our three children Ollie, Evie and Addie with everything we've got," she said.

"They are doing great."

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While the reason for the split has not been revealed, a source told New Idea they had been "working on their relationship for some time".

"I think taking their family to the UK last year was an effort to mend things," the source said.

The publication claims that the three-month long trip was a "Band-Aid solution" for their relationship issues, adding friends don't believe it was a great idea for the pair to take their daughters Evie, 6, and Adelaide, 3, and Carrie's son Ollie, 15, on the long trip.

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