Former The Bachelor Australia star and fitness coach Sam Wood has been denied bail after being charged with alleged domestic violence offences in Queensland.

Wood, 46, was arrested on Saturday at a beachfront property on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and later charged with domestic violence assault and strangulation.

He appeared by videolink at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday after spending five nights in custody and applied to be released on bail.

Police Detail Alleged Assault

Police prosecutors told the court that the alleged victim had provided a video statement in which she said Wood choked her, leaving her unable to breathe, and repeatedly banged her head against the floor.

Sergeant Jeanette Grigoris told the court the woman said she believed she was going to die.

Prosecutors also presented photographs showing injuries allegedly sustained by the woman, as well as a recording of an emergency call in which a witness reportedly said the woman had been choked.

Grigoris said the complainant supported the criminal charges.

Defence Raises Self-Defence Argument

Wood’s lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, told the court his client denied the strangulation allegation.

He argued there appeared to be insufficient evidence to support the strangulation charge, describing the situation as unusual given the nature and seriousness of the allegation.

Cuskelly said Wood had been involved in an argument with the complainant and alleged that she had been hostile towards his client before he pushed her.

The lawyer indicated that Wood could rely on self-defence as part of his defence during the proceedings.

The court has not determined Wood’s guilt or innocence.

Prosecutors Oppose Bail

Police opposed Wood’s release, arguing that there was a risk he could interfere with witnesses, commit another offence or fail to return to Queensland for future court proceedings.

Cuskelly, meanwhile, told the court that Wood suffers from severe depression and should be released so he could access mental health support.

The lawyer also argued that Wood needed an opportunity to address the damage to his professional reputation following the allegations.

The magistrate ultimately refused the bail application, meaning Wood will remain in custody.

Fitness Brand Cuts Ties With Wood

The charges have also affected Wood’s commercial relationships.

DBG Health, which acquired his fitness and nutrition business, 28 by Sam Wood, for millions of dollars in 2022, initially announced that Wood had been placed on indefinite leave.

The company later said it had ended its commercial arrangements with him, effective immediately.

DBG Health said it did not tolerate domestic violence and expressed support for people affected by it.

Several fitness influencers and corporate partners have also reportedly ended their associations with Wood, including fitness trainer Tiffiny Hall and Married At First Sight personality Jules Robinson.

Wood Rose to Fame on The Bachelor Australia

Wood became nationally known after appearing on the 2015 season of The Bachelor Australia, where he met contestant Snezana Markoski.

The pair married in 2018 and have four daughters, including a daughter from Markoski’s previous relationship.

Wood later established himself as a fitness coach and became the public face of the 28 by Sam Wood online fitness and nutrition programme.

He lives in Melbourne but was visiting Noosa on holiday when he was arrested.

Family Says It Is Cooperating With Authorities

Following Wood’s arrest, a statement attributed to the Wood family was posted on both his and his wife’s social media accounts.

The family said they were going through a difficult period and were working through the situation together while cooperating fully with authorities.

Wood is due to return to court on November 23.

The allegations against him have not been proven in court, and he remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.