Darren Jolly's happy ending: How the troubled Block star found love and became a father again - after his bitter custody battle with ex-wife Deanne left him suicidal
Troubled former AFL player Darren Jolly has completely turned his life around.
The Block contestant, whose personal struggles have been well-documented over the last three years, just announced the birth of his first child with girlfriend Lucy Porter, a daughter named Olive.
It marked a happy ending for the two-time premiership star, 40, whose life spiralled out of control after he separated from his wife-of-15-years, Deanne Jolly, in 2019.
Following their break-up, the exes were locked in a bitter custody battle and Darren even contemplated suicide - but things finally seem to be looking up for him.
Daily Mail Australia takes a look at how the former Collingwood and Sydney Swans footballer changed his life for the better with the help of his new girlfriend.
![Olive's birth marks a happy ending for the two-time premiership star whose life spiralled out of control after he separated from his wife-of-15-years, Deanne Jolly, in 2019. (Pictured with his girlfriend Lucy Porter and their daughter Olive in late May)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/03/03/58622759-10880589-image-a-63_1654222505261.jpg)
Darren Jolly's happy ending: How the troubled Block star found love and became a father again after his bitter custody battle with ex-wife Deanne left him suicidal. (Pictured with his girlfriend Lucy Porter and their daughter Olive last month)
Baby joy
Darren announced the birth of his daughter Olive on Instagram last month, posting a gallery of photos of himself and Lucy cuddling their bundle of joy in the hospital.
'Welcome to the world beautiful Olive Rita Porter Jolly. You are such a special gift and we love you so much!! ❤️,' he captioned the post.
Darren looked every inch the doting dad as he cradled the newborn.
In another image, Lucy held the child close to her chest moments after giving birth.
![Following their break-up, the exes were locked in a bitter custody battle and Darren even contemplated suicide - but things finally seem to be looking up for him. (Pictured with Olive)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/58622763-10880589-Baby_joy_Darren_announced_the_birth_of_his_daughter_Olive_on_Ins-a-42_1654393536153.jpg)
Baby joy: Darren announced the birth of his daughter Olive on Instagram last month, posting a gallery of photos of himself and Lucy cuddling their bundle of joy in the hospital
![Overjoyed: 'Welcome to the world beautiful Olive Rita Porter Jolly. You are such a special gift and we love you so much!! ¿¿,' the former AFL star captioned the post](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/58622801-10880589-Overjoyed_Welcome_to_the_world_beautiful_Olive_Rita_Porter_Jolly-a-41_1654393536152.jpg)
Overjoyed: 'Welcome to the world beautiful Olive Rita Porter Jolly. You are such a special gift and we love you so much!! ❤️,' the former AFL star captioned the post
![Darren announced the birth of his daughter Olive on Instagram in May, posting a gallery of photos of himself and Lucy cuddling their bundle of joy in the hospital](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/58622799-10880589-Precious_moment_Lucy_cradled_her_baby_just_moments_after_giving_-a-44_1654393536411.jpg)
Precious moment: Lucy cradled her baby just moments after giving birth
Support after his suicide attempt
Darren's life fell apart when he separated from ex-wife Deanne in September 2019, bringing to an end 15 years of marriage.
He went public with new girlfriend Lucy in November 2020 when he posted a loved-up selfie on Instagram of the pair on holiday, which coincided with his birthday.
![New love: Darren went public with new girlfriend Lucy in November 2020 when he posted this loved-up selfie on Instagram of the pair on holiday, which coincided with his birthday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/35492274-10880589-New_love_Darren_went_public_with_new_girlfriend_Lucy_in_November-a-43_1654393536410.jpg)
New love: Darren went public with new girlfriend Lucy in November 2020 when he posted this loved-up selfie on Instagram of the pair on holiday, which coincided with his birthday
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/35492270-10880589-image-a-36_1654393533689.jpg)
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/35492272-10880589-image-a-46_1654393536414.jpg)
Praise: Darren's mother praised Lucy (left and right) for her 'concerted efforts' to help after he shared a worrying Instagram post in October 2020 saying he could not 'go on much longer'
A month earlier, Darren had sent shockwaves through the AFL community when he shared a worrying Instagram post in which he said he could not 'go on much longer'.
Several people called Victoria Police to ask them to perform a welfare check.
After spending hours trying to get in touch with him, his manager Paul Connors said the former Collingwood premiership player had been found safe and well at about 8.30pm that night - almost two hours after the concerning post.
He thanked everyone for their help in sharing calls for help finding him.
As footballers and Darren's family swarmed to support him, also among those helping was Lucy, who Darren's mother praised for her 'concerted efforts' to help.
![In a better frame of mind: The former Sydney Swans and Collingwood player appeared in a good mood when he and Lucy took a holiday in Victoria's south-west in November 2020](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/35492414-10880589-In_a_better_frame_of_mind_The_former_Sydney_Swans_and_Collingwoo-a-47_1654393536414.jpg)
In a better frame of mind: The former Sydney Swans and Collingwood player appeared in a good mood when he and Lucy took a holiday in Victoria's south-west in November 2020
'First of all we wish to thank the concerted efforts of Lucy,' Jacinta Jolly wrote in an emotional Facebook post.
'As his parents, this has been the most terrifying 24 hours we've ever had to endure. 'He is safe and receiving the best care he needs right now.'
Bitter custody stoush
Darren and Deanne were popular contestants on The Block, appearing twice in 2014 and 2015, and winning the latter season.
In a statement to the Herald Sun in 2019, Deanne confirmed the pair's acrimonious split and said Darren was the one who instigated it.
'This is a very difficult time for me and my girls. We have been blindsided and left devastated by Darren's action. But I'm focusing on my two daughters, who are my number one priority,' she said at the time.
![A month earlier, Darren had sent shockwaves through the AFL community when he shared a worrying Instagram post in which he said he could not 'go on much longer'. (Pictured: Darren with ex-wife Deanne Jolly)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/58622921-10880589-Marriage_breakdown_Darren_separated_from_his_ex_wife_Deanne_righ-a-39_1654393533694.jpg)
Marriage breakdown: Darren separated from his ex-wife Deanne (right) in September 2019, bringing to an end 15 years of marriage
Darren claimed on Instagram in October 2020 he hadn't been in contact with his two daughters, Scarlett and Lily, since splitting from Deanne.
'I'm done, the unbearable pain of not seeing my beautiful girls... is too much to cope with,' he wrote.
'Looking back through these photos broke what little I have left of my heart as it showed how much my girls loved me.
'To my parents, my family, my friends, Lucy, I love you. To my girls, I'm sorry. My love will always be in your heart. Love Dad xx.'
![After spending hours trying to get in touch with him, Darren's manager Paul Connors said the former Collingwood premiership player had been found safe and well at about 8.30pm that night - almost two hours after the concerning post. (Pictured with Deanne on The Block)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/26467460-10880589-Reality_bites_Darren_and_Deanne_were_popular_contestants_on_Chan-a-37_1654393533691.jpg)
Reality bites: Darren and Deanne were popular contestants on Channel Nine renovation series The Block, appearing twice in 2014 and 2015, and winning the latter season
Things were looking up two weeks later when Darren publicly credited Lucy with helping him get out of his depression.
'Camping on the sand with not a soul in sight,' he wrote on Instagram.
'I've wanted to do this for such a long time and I couldn't have picked a better weekend and better company to do it with.
'There was something spectacular about our surroundings as the rugged coastline and the aggressiveness of the surf made where we were and who I was sharing it with memorable.'
![Family: Darren claimed in October 2020 he hadn't been in contact with his two daughters Scarlett and Lily (pictured in January 2017) since splitting from Deanne in September 2019](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/35491712-10880589-Family_Darren_claimed_in_October_2020_he_hadn_t_been_in_contact_-a-45_1654393536413.jpg)
Family: Darren claimed in October 2020 he hadn't been in contact with his two daughters Scarlett and Lily (pictured in January 2017) since splitting from Deanne in September 2019
Depression struggles
In February 2020, Darren spoke candidly at Collingwood's annual general meeting about his business troubles and the breakdown of his marriage.
'Spending three weeks in a mental facility to deal with depression. Leaving my 15-year marriage because I fell out of love and wanted a happier life,' he said.
He told his former teammates his mental health became so bad around that time he 'almost did something stupid and ended [his] life'.
![Darren claimed on Instagram in October 2020 he hadn't been in contact with his two daughters, Scarlett and Lily, since splitting from Deanne. (Pictured playing for the Swans on June 4, 2005)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/35492404-10880589-Footy_career_Darren_played_a_total_of_237_games_for_Melbourne_Sy-a-49_1654393539628.jpg)
Footy career: Darren played a total of 237 games for Melbourne, Sydney and Collingwood, including winning a premiership in 2010. (Pictured playing for the Swans on June 4, 2005)
'Everything was too much to handle and I lost control. I lost my drive to keep going, I lost my purpose in life, I lost my direction and I lost my path. I thought it was easier just to go,' he confessed.
At the depths of his struggle, Darren admitted himself to hospital and described it as the 'best thing [he] could have done'.
For confidential support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
![Mental health battle: In February 2020, Darren spoke at Collingwood's annual general meeting about his business troubles and the breakdown of his marriage. He said his mental health became so bad around that time he 'almost did something stupid and ended [his] life'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/05/02/37972614-10880589-Mental_health_battle_In_February_2020_Darren_spoke_at_Collingwoo-a-48_1654393539627.jpg)
Mental health battle: In February 2020, Darren spoke at Collingwood's annual general meeting about his business troubles and the breakdown of his marriage. He said his mental health became so bad around that time he 'almost did something stupid and ended [his] life'
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