A popular sports podcast has ignited controversy after hosts used a celebratory social media post from former Test cricket star Peter Siddle to make a series of crude jokes about his relationship with partner Hannah Burgess.
Podcast Jokes Spark Backlash
The incident occurred on the Off-Field Drama podcast, hosted by Stirling Farquhar and Samuel Burke. In an episode published on Tuesday, the duo seized upon a photo Siddle posted to mark his 100th match in the Big Bash League, which featured his partner Burgess.
Farquhar incorrectly claimed that while Siddle is 40, Burgess is only 20, making a pun about NRL star Nathan Cleary's famous 40/20 kicks. 'Peter Siddle, they're calling him Nathan Cleary ... yeah, 40/20,' he said. The hosts then embarked on a string of inappropriate remarks, with Burke suggesting Siddle might 'be bowling a bit of chin music at the Christmas lunch' with Burgess's father.
Farquhar added, 'You've gotta think, when he [Siddle] bowled his hat-trick ball in 2010, his missus was getting picked up from preschool.' In reality, Peter Siddle is 41 years old. The age of Hannah Burgess is not publicly confirmed, though she humorously referenced it in a comment on the Instagram post, writing: 'Guess which one of us played their 100th big bash game and which one turned 20 something!'
The Couple's Relationship in the Spotlight
Siddle and Burgess made their romance 'Instagram official' in November 2024. Burgess first posted a photo of the cricketer embracing her on November 25 with the caption 'Happy birthday to the best,' which Siddle also shared.
Since then, their social media has documented a blossoming relationship, including:
- Post-match catch-ups and romantic dinners.
- An extensive holiday across Europe, visiting Mallorca, Paris, Versailles, Greece, Capri, Positano, and Sicily.
- Siddle congratulating Burgess on her university graduation a month ago.
The fast bowler was previously married to Anna Weatherlake for five years after a wedding at a Victorian homestead in 2017. The couple split in August 2022, with reports at the time suggesting Weatherlake had moved on with another man.
Siddle's Personal Journey and Sobriety
This personal scrutiny comes against the backdrop of Siddle's own candid revelations about his past. The sports star, who has 231 first-class wickets to his name, has been open about his previous struggles with alcohol, which he said took a toll on his marriage.
He courageously quit drinking and marked eight years of sobriety in 2020. In an emotional 2020 interview on the Ordineroli Speaking podcast, Siddle reflected on his darkest days, admitting he would consume between 25 and 30 drinks and that his partying was 'getting out of control.' He stated, 'All my relationships that were real close to me, I was just in a way lying to them all.'
The Daily Mail has contacted both Peter Siddle and Hannah Burgess for comment regarding the podcast's remarks. The episode has raised questions about the boundaries of comedy in sports media and the intrusion into athletes' private lives.
