EXCLUSIVE

Channel Nine sports presenter Danika Mason is dating rugby league star Liam Knight, just months after calling off her wedding to personal trainer Todd Liubinskas.

The 33-year-old, who in addition to presenting Wide World of Sports is a sideline reporter for Nine's NRL coverage, was spotted cuddling with the Bulldogs prop, 29, at The Butler restaurant in Sydney's exclusive Potts Point this weekend.

An onlooker told Daily Mail Australia that Mason appeared enamored with the footballer and at one point practically sat on his lap as he stared wistfully into his eyes.

They started the evening sitting across from each other, before Knight walked over to Mason's side of the table and cuddled up together in full view of the onlookers.

'Her attitude was that of a relaxed woman enjoying an affair in preparation with a younger one; his was that of a deer in headlights,” the witness said.

As further proof the two are an item, Mason and Knight follow each other Instagram, and she also liked the 1.94 meter tall footballer's most recent post.

On Wednesday afternoon, Knight was spotted leaving Mason's South Maroubra home, which she used to share with Liubinskas, to take the former couple's dog Charlie for a walk.

Mason was due to marry Liubinskas, 40, on October 27 last year.

But she canceled the wedding just weeks before the ceremony was due to take place at Greystone Estate in the NSW Hunter Valley.

The exact reason for the pair's split is unclear and has become a subject of great speculation among footy and media insiders.

It is unknown how long Mason, host of the Sunday Footy Show, has been in a relationship with Knight.

Knight, who co-hosts a podcast called Stuk in the Middle with fellow NRL star Toby Rudolf, signed for the Bulldogs last year.

He played before for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Canberra Raiders in the NRL.

Mr Knight, who describes himself as a 'business investor', is a recovering alcoholic and revealed last year that he attended AA meetings twice a week.

He turned to prescription drugs and alcohol after a season-ending injury in 2022, eventually seeking help from Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou.

Together with South Sydney CEO Blake Solly, Demetriou arranged for Knight to be admitted to a rehab center for alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.

Knight spent 28 days at Foundation House in Lilyfield, in Sydney's western suburbs, and has continued to return to attend sessions twice a week since last year.

“I still go to AA meetings twice a week,” he previously said The Daily Telegraph.

'I go up and say, “I'm Liam, I'm an alcoholic.” People can judge me however they want. I do not mind.'

Knight said he had no concerns about being recognized at the facility, nor did he have any qualms about disclosing the extent of his addiction problems.

His main concern was sharing his story in the hope that it can help people with mental health and reassure them that there is help for those who need it.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Knight and Mason for comment.

Mason sensationally called off her wedding to Liubinskas at the end of September, just three weeks after the big day.

The sideline reporter, who recently covered the Australian Open, is said to be “extremely devastated” and “completely heartbroken” by the decision.

Liubinskas, who reportedly took refuge in his parents' home in Sydney's inner west in the aftermath of the split, had only just celebrated his 40th birthday a week before the split.

'Forty feels good!' he captioned an Instagram post of his birthday celebrations.

'Thanks for the love! An epic surprise,” he added, before tagging Mason.

The post remains on his Instagram account.

Mason and Liubinskas were last seen arm-in-arm less than two weeks before the wedding was called off at an event to launch BYD's new electric car and showroom in Alexandria, in Sydney's south.

After their divorce, another of Liubinskas' ex-girlfriend – who had been in a relationship with him for seven years before he started dating Mason – offered Mason a message of support.

“I can only hope that Danika isn't as blindsided as I was, or has experienced something similar,” the ex, who asked not to be named, told Daily Mail Australia.

“My heart goes out to her if she was.”

This publication previously revealed that Liubinskas had asked Mason to return her diamond engagement ring through a third party because it was a family heirloom.

Mason went on a girls' holiday to Bali last year, while Mr Liubinskas recently promoted nutrition bars at petrol stations.

Max King and his wife Christy Young are expecting their first child.

The Canterbury Bulldogs star and his glamorous partner shared the good news on Instagram on Saturday.

In the clip, Christy surprised her husband with a positive pregnancy test before the delighted couple hugged.

She then showed several positive tests before sharing the announcement with their families.

“Baby King coming in 2024,” Christy wrote in her caption alongside her sweet video, in which she showed off her baby bump while holding up a series of ultrasound images.

In October the Bulldogs appellant and his new bride, both 25, took their vows at Curzon Hall, one of the premier wedding and events venues in Sydneysurrounded by family and friends.

Christy looked every bit the blushing bride in a sleeveless modern design with a structured bodice and a full skirt with a thigh-high slit.

The brunette beauty wore her hair in a center part for her big day, and completed her look with statement earrings.

Meanwhile, Max looked dapper in a classic black suit paired with a white shirt and a black bow tie.

Christy made a grand entrance that day, arriving at her wedding in a white stretch limousine.

The couple, both Christians, abstained from sex during their engagement.

“We’re so loud and proud of our faith… it’s never been something we’ve shied away from because it’s so important to us,” Christy told 2DayFM’s Hughesy, Ed and Erin show in March.

“We talked about it (staying celibate) early on… on the first or second date.

“Christian dating means not wasting anyone’s time. It’s a conversation we don’t shy away from and honestly we’ve seen so much fruit from it in our relationship in terms of communication… it’s just so good.”

Young laughed as she described being introduced to King by their pastor, and believes the celibate couple certainly helped his play on the football field.

‘We met at church. I lived on the Gold Coast and he was sitting across from me… we didn’t talk that day but the pastor set us up. If you want a good guy, look for him in church,” she laughed.

“When it (sex) isn’t at the forefront of everything, it’s like we’ve been able to have such good conversations and build on our relationship, and we have such a good support system for each other.

“It (celibacy) does help him, because we just have such a good foundation in our relationship.”

Young also admitted that she was once hesitant about their relationship, given King’s profession.

“When I met him I thought, ‘Oh, you’re a football player, red flag, what have I gotten myself into,’” she said.

‘Certainly [his teammates are supportive]…but when we first started dating they said “as if you guys are” [abstaining from sex].

“The Bible says, ‘Deny the flesh and God will bless you,’ and we’ve seen such fruit from that.

“I feel so blessed to have met Max… we are the pieces of the puzzle that fit together and it’s all thanks to God,” the glamorous model said.

A group of veterinary clinic workers have lifted the lid on the dog breeds they would never own and why.

Seven employees expressed their concerns regarding popular canines – including French Bulldogs, Huskies and German Shepherds.

A receptionist from Upper Canada Animal Hospital asked her co-workers and on top of the no-go list for three of them was French Bulldogs because of their ‘health problems and airway issues’. 

Others swore to never own a Husky as this breed tends to be ‘too dramatic’, ‘very vocal’ and ‘too high energy.’ 

As for German Shepherds, this breed’s stomach can bloat and the dog’s hip dysplasia can also cause issues. 

The responses surprised animal lovers worldwide and the video has since been viewed more than 172,000 times. 

‘My husky is broken. She is very very quiet and super sweet. But the hair is insane!’ one wrote. 

‘I’m surprised no one said pug. I feel like they have the same health issues as Frenchies,’ another added. 

The clinic’s TikTok account has boomed over the last six months as the vets reveal interesting facts about beloved four-legged friends – including foods that are toxic to dogs. 

In another video shared, the staff shared what they think is the most common dog name – and the responses were varied. 

Among the most popular dog names the staff have worked with, Bella, Daisy, Buddy, Charlie, Maggie, and Luna topped the list.

Previously a veterinarian also revealed the five dog breeds she would never own – while sharing her top five picks for a future pet.

Dr Whitney Terrell, from Alabama, caused a stir online after sharing types of dogs she would never own due to her experience as a vet in a now-viral TikTok video, with the popular Goldendoodle, or poodle mixes, topping her list.

In second place are German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds – also known as Belgian Malinois – which Dr Terrell noted require a lot of training in order to be good pets, something that she simply doesn’t have the time for. 

She went on to add that she also doesn’t recommend getting short-snouted pooches like French Bulldogs, pugs and Shih Tzus because of their breathing issues. 

The animal doctor then shared her most-liked dogs, including Golden Retrievers, mixed-breed pups and Basset Hounds. 

Dr Terrell said while some poodle-cross dogs are ‘super sweet’, they ‘can’t sit still’ and are prone to a string of health conditions. 

‘A lot of them are crazy, crazy hyper, can’t sit still for two seconds. We’ve had some really aggressive ones as well,’ she said. 

‘Ear infections out the wazoo, so expensive grooming, they are mixed breed. Too high maintenance for me.’

Coming in at number two on Dr Terrell’s list was a German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois, which she said can be aggressive if not trained properly.

‘They have the potential to be really great dogs, good police dogs, good rescue types scenarios but 95 per cent of the ones that we see in clinic want to bite your face off because they’re not properly trained,’ she said.  

Any breed that is brachycephalic, meaning they have shortened or ‘squished’ snouts, like pugs, Boston terriers, French Bulldogs or Shih Tzus did not come recommended by the vet. 

‘Some of them are so cute and so sweet but they can’t breathe, literally cannot breathe,’ she said. 

‘They snore, I’ve already got a husband that snores, I don’t need anything else. Skin fold dermatitis, allergies, yeasty, smelly, gassy, it’s a no from me.’  

Dr Terrell said she doesn’t like Chihuahuas, which she called ‘ankle biters’, as well as Chinese Crested Dogs and any other hairless dogs. 

‘Not my cup of tea: afraid I’m going to step on them, will more than likely be bit if I had one, they’re usually a one person dog,’ she said of chihuahuas.

‘I don’t really like hairless animals, they’re zitty, they’re kind of greasy, same with cats – kind of feel like a ball sack – no from me.’ 

The clip racked up 8.3 million views and some of the doctor’s dog-breed opinions angered animal-lovers in the comments with many disagreeing with her hot takes. 

‘I can’t believe the golden doodle is your #1! I’m shocked! I’ve had a ton of dogs in my lifetime. This is the best dog ever and best family dog,’ one viewer wrote.   

‘Goldendoodle is literally the best dog I’ve ever owned and ever been around. Literally like a human and ridiculously smart and sweet. Byeeee,’ said another. 

‘I grew up with only German Shepherds and they were the best dogs,’ replied a third while a fourth commented: ‘My chihuahua is the sweetest boy ever’. 

However not everyone was upset with Dr Whit’s controversial opinions. 

‘Doodles, most expensive mutts in the world… agree with you from a fellow vet!’ one woman responded.

‘FACTS. Sorry doodle owners, your dogs are NOT the best dogs,’ a second asserted.  

In a follow up clip, Dr Terrell shared the top five dog breeds she would get with the Basset Hound or any type of hound coming in at number one. 

Dr Terrell owns a Basset Hound herself and said despite being ‘smelly, loud and have ear, back and weight problems’ they are the ‘best’ pets. 

‘I love them they’re so sweet. Mine is the best dog ever he comes to work with me every day,’ she said.  

She also recommended getting a mixed-breed or mutt dog as they have fewer underlying health issues as well as golden retrievers as their calm temperament makes them a great family pet. 

‘For number two, I don’t have a picture because it is a mutt, they can look like anything. They are fantastic dogs,’ she said. 

‘They usually don’t have as many genetic or hereditary problems like pure breeds do. They are thankful they have a home.’ 

At number four was the German shorthair pointer and in at five was the Great Pyrenees. 

‘These are beautiful super athletic happy dogs. I honestly can’t think of one I have seen that was not happy,’ she said about German shorthair pointers. 

‘Definitely high energy though, you do not want to own these if you are sedentary, if you do not like adventure, if you do not like taking them for walks every day.’