Carrie Bickmore's ex 'hurt' amid rumours she's dating Tommy Little

Carrie Bickmore's ex-partner Chris Walker is reportedly "hurt" by the "radio silence" from her radio co-host Tommy Little, who has been rumoured to be "growing close" to the former Project host.

Carrie and Chris announced they were splitting up after 11 years in January this year, with the Daily Mail recently sharing reports she and Tommy may be getting romantically involved after years of working together.

Chris surprised his Instagram followers on Thursday when he shared a strange family photo shoot that Tommy had also taken part in as part of a radio stunt.

In the tongue-in-cheek photo, Carrie's two older children, Ollie and Evie, stand in front of Carrie and Chris, whose hands are on Carrie's baby bump, with Tommy awkwardly standing behind him, holding his behind.

The photo was organised for Unicef Australia's Save a Newborn Appeal, with the photo being captioned at the time: "This is what happens when you let Tommy organize a beautiful photo shoot to celebrate Carrie's pregnancy."

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Chris didn't caption the photo and swiftly deleted it just six hours later, with the Herald Sun reporting that while he doesn't believe any rumours about Carrie and Tommy, it's "hurtful" that neither of them have publicly denied them.

Sources close to the TV producer reportedly suggested the post was the result of an "ill-advised joke".

The publication adds that Chris has been "struggling to come to terms with no longer seeing his children every day" following the pair's split.

Carrie announced her split with Chris on Instagram in January, sharing a statement that read: "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. They are doing great."

The announcement came weeks after Carrie signed off from The Project after 13 years on the show.

'Shoulder to cry on'

The Daily Mail described Tommy as Carrie's "shoulder to cry on" after the TV and radio host split from Chris. Tommy is also single following his split from his girlfriend Natalie Kyriacou in 2021.

Tommy reportedly rushed to be by Carrie's side when she confirmed the split, leading some to believe they could end up being more than friends in the future.

Fans have been hoping the pair would get together with one person writing on Instagram, "Get a room already, you two."

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"You guys make a lovely couple," another said.

"Carrie I am sorry for your breakup with Chris, but I have always thought that you and Tommy were a perfect match," a third said, with another agreeing they have "so much chemistry and love between them".

"Put the rumours to rest, share the juicy gossip you know everyone wants to know," someone else pleaded with Carrie on a recent Instagram post.

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