Jimmy Bartel’s controversial romance with Lauren Mand became public knowledge in 2019, following his highly publicised split from ex-wife Nadia.
And rumours are swirling the AFL star’s relationship with the Melbourne socialite may have come to an end, after a series of telling clues emerged in recent months.
In the past, Jimmy, 37, was known to share loved-up snaps with Lauren on Instagram, where he has 120,000 followers, but he appears to have stopped doing so.
What happened? Speculation is growing Jimmy Bartel (left) has split from Lauren Mand (right) after he stopped posting loved-up photos of the pair and she disappeared from Instagram
The retired Geelong star last shared a new photo of the pair together in March. He reposted the same image in September to celebrate ‘one year with you’.
Jimmy’s main Instagram feed now appears to focus solely on the two sons he shares with Nadia, Aston, five, and Henley, two.
Adding fuel to the fire, Lauren, 31, deleted her own Instagram account in October and created a private one with just a sprinkling of followers.
She last posted about Jimmy in September, sharing a picture of their puppy Kensi.
Intriguing: The former Geelong star last shared a new photo of the pair together in March (above). He reposted the same image in September to celebrate ‘one year with you’
Bizarre twist: Adding fuel to the fire, Lauren, 31, deleted her own Instagram account in October and created a private one with just a sprinkling of followers. Pictured in December last year
Private: Lauren’s new account has just 48 followers and five posts
‘Definitely a daddy’s girl, but sometimes mumma sneaks a cuddle,’ she wrote on Instagram Stories, referring to Jimmy.
But shortly after posting this, Lauren deleted the account – which by then had racked up hundreds of followers due to her high-profile relationship.
She soon started another profile, but it’s hidden from public view and has just 48 followers and five posts.
One of those followers does happen to be Jimmy, however, and Lauren’s secret account follows him back.
Sweet: She last posted about Jimmy in September, sharing this picture of their puppy Kensi. ‘Definitely a daddy’s girl, but sometimes mumma sneaks a cuddle,’ she wrote
She may have made the transition to a private account after being targeted by trolls who believe they are supporting Nadia.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Nadia is involved in, or even aware of, the trolling against her ex-husband’s new girlfriend.
Lauren has frequently been subjected to abuse on social media, and in August was targeted by a ‘hate account’ on Instagram.
The profile, which is run anonymously, uploaded several cruel posts about her and her relationship with the retired footy great.
She has maintained a dignified silence despite the online vitriol.
Decision: She may have made the transition to a private account after being targeted by trolls who believe they are supporting Jimmy’s ex-wife Nadia Bartel
De-listed: Jimmy and Nadia Bartel (left) announced their separation on August 15 last year, but they are believed to have actually split two months prior
Jimmy and Lauren were first pictured as a couple in August 2019.
It came very soon after he and Nadia announced their separation. However, the Bartels are believed to have actually split in June and it’s not suggested there was any overlap in the two relationships.
The last time Lauren publicly declared her love for her partner was – like Jimmy – in September, when the pair celebrated their anniversary.
Sharing an image of the couple as Simpsons characters, she wrote: ‘Three hundred and sixty five days. Thanks for the artwork, it’s going straight to the pool room.’
Lovers: The last time Lauren publicly declared her love for her partner was in September, when they celebrated their anniversary. She shared this image of the couple as Simpsons characters
Tribute: Alongside the Simpsons snap, Lauren wrote: ‘Three hundred and sixty five days. Thanks for the artwork, it’s going straight to the pool room’
Meanwhile, Nadia has made no secret of her heartache following her marriage breakdown.
Discussing the split for the first time in April, she told Stellar magazine: ‘This is never what I thought would happen. Every day is tough.’
She added that her priority was making sure her sons were supported emotionally during the separation.
‘I want my boys to be aware of their feelings. And if they are feeling a certain way, they can show that feeling,’ she said.
‘They are allowed to cry and allowed to come to me and say what’s happening.’
Nadia has since moved on with personal trainer Nathan Brodie.
New boyfriend: Nadia has since moved on with personal trainer Nathan Brodie (right)
Family: The Bartels share custody of two children, sons Aston, five, and Henley, two (pictured)