Amanda Goff on Jackie O Henderson and Richie Ryan: heartbreak, admiration, and a public romance

Amanda Goff, a Daily Mail columnist covering TV and showbiz, writes that she is in a state of shock after spotting Jackie O Henderson with her new partner Richie Ryan on her balcony. She clarifies that she is not in love with the man, but she says she has long admired him and moved in the same social and gym circles. The sight, she writes, felt like a personal heartbreak rather than a straightforward celebrity scoop, and she describes moving through a rough arc of emotions—from anger and envy to acceptance that the relationship appears real. Goff recalls her Bondi gym days when she would steal furtive glances at Richie while attempting squats and trying to look sexy, imagining what a life together might entail. The piece frames the moment as more than a gossip beat; it is a candid meditation on the tension between private longing and a public romance. She notes that the image of Jackie O and Richie together unsettled a long-held fantasy she carried about her own gym crush becoming real.

Goff notes that Richie is widely regarded as a decent, kind man who does not chase fame. Her column acknowledges that he was previously engaged to a vegan chef named Emma and has since moved on from that relationship. She emphasizes that Jackie has faced two failed marriages, first to fellow radio DJ Ugly Phil ONeill and then to British photographer Lee Henderson, with whom she shares a teenage daughter. That history, she writes, makes their current pairing notable in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, where dating life is often described as challenging. Goff suggests that Richie embodies the kind of partner many admire for steadiness and self-care, and she implies that his presence with Jackie shows that a good man can still find a meaningful relationship within a celebrity circle.

Goff describes Sydney’s east dating scene as a peculiar social ecosystem. She paraphrases her own cautionary observations, noting that a sizable portion of men in that milieu are perceived as inconsistent or self-absorbed, and that a clear majority appear more focused on status or transactional gains than on lasting connection. In her view, Richie stands out as something different: a man who is not merely a public figure or a social currency, but someone who seems genuinely considerate and attached to his own routine of health and responsibility. She mentions that his professional life includes work as a DJ, clarifying that for him, it is largely a hobby rather than a bid to become the next marquee name in music. The column underscores that his past engagement and the public interest around his relationship with Jackie add complexity, but it frames him as a person who has moved beyond a rocky engagement and appears committed to the current relationship.

Despite the social drama, Goff writes with a measured tone that mixes personal lament with support for the couple. She acknowledges that her own romantic fantasy has been tempered, yet she continues to root for Jackie and Richie to make the connection work. Her narrative hinges on the idea that the eastern suburbs, with its intense media scrutiny and clubby social circles, can still surprise by producing a stable, respectful partnership. Goff stresses that Richie’s choice to date Jackie does not fit the mold of a high-profile, reckless lifestyle; instead, she portrays him as someone who remains grounded, optimistic, and attentive. Her commentary leans toward the view that a good, steady partner—rare in that social milieu—can indeed be found, even if it comes at the expense of a personal fantasy.

The column closes on a personal note that blends affection with resignation. Goff writes that she is heartbroken over the end of her own gym crush fantasy, but she concedes that Jackie and Richie deserve the chance to see if their romance can endure. She expresses cautious approval of the pairing and acknowledges the possibility that this couple could stand the test of time, even if it means she must recalibrate her own expectations. The piece also reflects on Goff’s own life changes, noting that she has relocated from Bondi Beach to South Yarra, where she continues to write about entertainment and celebrity life. In closing, she encourages Jackie and Richie to give their relationship time to grow, while reminding readers that in 2025, finding a steady, decent partner within these social circles remains a notable achievement.