Rove McManus has been one of Australia’s most beloved comedians for more than 20 years.
As a triple Gold Logie award winning stand-up comedian and host of iconic noughties shows – notably Rove (1999 – 2009), Rove LA (2011 – 2012) and then the short lived Saturday Night Rove (2019) – and founder of his own production company Roving Enterprises, the now 49-year-old has experienced all manners of professional success.
But behind the bravado of this top television funny man, Rove has faced his own share of personal heartbreak, notably the death of his first wife Belinda Emmett in 2006.
At the 2002 Logie Awards.
(IMAGE: Getty)After being diagnosed with breast cancer at the tender age of 24 in 1998, Belinda – who was working as an actress – retired from her role of Rebecca Fisher/Nash on Home and Away to undergo surgery to remove a malignant tumor, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy.
Three years on, when Belinda returned to the doctor after experiencing intense back pain, the actress’s worst fears were confirmed. The cancer was back, and it had spread to her bones.
One year later in 2002, Belinda bravely opened up to The Australian Women’s Weekly about her then terminal diagnosis, describing her impending death as a sure thing.
”It wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when. The little bastards were going to get me. It was a weird sensation, almost an out of body experience. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain it.”
Despite her diagnosis, Belinda had a positive outlook on life.
(IMAGE: Getty)The same year, Belinda spoke further on her experience living with cancer, telling journalist Charles Wooley on 60 Minutes that she had ”surprised herself.”
”I think people underestimate the power that they have within themselves, I really do, and I think these kinds of challenges, they force you to look that little bit deeper and see what you’re really made of.
”I always knew I was pretty strong. I’ve always been pretty gutsy and pretty ballsy, but I think I surprised myself this time around.”
But despite her health battle, Belinda was living life to the full, marrying her partner of almost seven years Rove McManus in January 2005 at the Waverley Immaculate Church in Sydney.
WATCH NOW: Lynne McGranger says Belinda Emmett thought her cancer was a cyst. Article continues after video.
The pair had met at the opening of Fox Studios in Sydney six years previously in 1999, Belinda telling a newspaper at a time that the pair were ”kindred spirits.”
But despite a brave battle, just 18 months on from their fairytale nuptials, Belinda died at the age of 32 from metastatic breast cancer and secondary bone cancer, eight years on from her initial cancer diagnosis.
The national grief was instant and overwhelming. Rove has since admitted that he ”routinely shut down” as a coping mechanism if anyone asked him a question or mentioned Belinda.
Rove and Belinda on their wedding day.
(IMAGE: Getty)”I would give them a very brief answer,” Rove admitted on The Jess Rowe Show Big Talk Show podcast.
According to Rove, guests would be warned not to bring up Belinda before appearing on his talk show.
”At the time, it was difficult because you’re trying to juggle what you’re dealing with in life with what you’re dealing with at work. And again, having to do promotion is part of the job as people want to know what you’re doing.
”But then people want to know what’s happening at home. It’s none of your business what’s happening at home!” he added.
”I’m not here to talk about what’s happening at home. If you want to know, you need to be a friend of mine. But if you’re a stranger on the street, you’ll get, ‘fine, it’s good.”’
Belinda was a Home and Away favourite.
(IMAGE: Getty)Following the passing of Belinda, Rove took a much-needed break from the public eye before returning to television the following year.
He has since married actress Tasma Walton in 2009 whom he shares a daughter, born in 2013.
And in a serendipitous turn of fate, it was actually Tasma who introduced Rove and Belinda to each other way back in 1999.
”We were all at a Fox Studios opening and I had obviously worked with Rove on his show, (and) worked with Belinda, (and I) thought they would be an interesting couple and introduced them,” Tasma told our sister publication New Idea.
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