The 2022 champion has hard launched his new relationship with fellow Australian Survivor contestant Phoebe Timmins.

Australian Survivor winner Mark Wales has announced he and his wife Samantha Gash have split. Photos: Channel 10

Australian Survivor stars Mark Wales and Samantha Gash made history when they became the first couple to get married after meeting on the reality show. The pair welcomed their first child together in 2018 and went on to compete in Australian Survivor: Blood v Water in 2022, with Mark being voted Sole Survivor and winning $500,000.

After months of speculation from fans that they had broken up after she unfollowed him on Instagram, Mark finally confirmed the rumours on Tuesday by posting a series of photos with his new girlfriend and fellow Australian Survivor contestant, Phoebe Timmins. Phoebe competed on season one in 2016 and returned for All Stars in 2020, but never played the game with Mark.

“I’m very, very lucky to have met someone who I really love,” he wrote. “She is kind, honest, thoughtful, very smart, has a huge heart, is a great mother and an even better partner.”

The photos show Mark and Phoebe looking loved up on various dates and posing with her ten-month-old baby.

Samantha’s last Instagram post with Mark was in March 2024, while the last photo he posted with her was in May 2024. Phoebe also announced in May that she had given birth to her daughter, and shared photos of herself in August wearing a wedding dress alongside the caption: “Shotgun wedding.”

Mark and Phoebe have both appeared on two seasons of Australian Survivor but never played the game together. Photo: Instagram/mark.a.wales

When did Mark and Phoebe start dating?

While there has been plenty of confusion surrounding the couple’s relationship timeline, particularly when Mark and Samantha called it quits, Phoebe tells Yahoo Lifestyle that they have been together “for about five or six months”.

“Mark and I were old acquaintances who reconnected through genuine friendship towards the end of last year,” she shares. “At the time, he was separated and single, and I was adjusting to life as a new mum, so romance was far from my mind.

“What grew between us happened slowly and naturally – over time, a more meaningful connection developed, which really caught me by surprise. It wasn’t something either of us sought out, but it’s turned into something really lovely.”

Phoebe adds that she is a “proud solo parent” and is currently focusing on parenting and growing her career in Abu Dhabi.

“Mark and I are dating and enjoy a great connection. While he’s a wonderful support and shares a deep understanding of parenting, I’ve never had a co-parent and continue to raise my daughter independently,” she says.

“Right now, I’m focused on an exciting professional opportunity in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and continuing to grow in this chapter of my life. Mark is incredibly supportive, and he visits when he can. We’re enjoying the relationship for what it is.”

Phoebe reveals that she and Mark have been together ‘for about five or six months’. Photos: Instagram/mark.a.wales

‘Tribe swap’

Mark and Phoebe’s ‘hard launch’ has taken many Australian Survivor fans by surprise, with one person joking that they had a “tribe swap”.

“Biggest blindside of the series,” another added, while a third commented, “Drop your buffs, we’re switching things up!”.

“Dang, def missed a few episodes there,” someone else shared, followed by a different user who remarked, “Tonight we’re doing things a little bit different”.

Plenty of other Australian Survivor contestants have also taken to the comments to share their well wishes, with Janine Allis writing: “Congrats Mark. Everyone deserves love!”

“Aww two of the nicest people I know,” Locky Gilbert said, while Simon Mee added, “Hard launch! Love this”.

“So happy for you two,” Flick Egginton shared.

Yahoo Lifestyle has contacted Mark Wales and Samantha Gash for comment.