Danika Mason wedding: Nine sports presenter looks downcast after calling off her engagement just three weeks before the big day – as her fiancé’s EX sends a message of support

EXCLUSIVE:

Channel Nine sports presenter Danika Mason appeared dejected in her first sighting since news broke that she had called off her engagement to Todd Liubinskas three weeks before their destination wedding.

In photos obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Australia, Mason’s engagement ring was noticeably absent as she looked somber, wearing all black and a dark cap and sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Liubinskas’ ex – who he dated for seven years before starting dating Mason – offered the rugby league broadcaster a message of support.

“I can only hope that Danika isn’t blinded like me or experiences something similar,” the ex told Daily Mail Australia.

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

Danika Mason’s engagement ring was conspicuously absent as she appeared dejected on Tuesday, dressed in black and wearing a dark cap and sunglasses, less than 24 hours after news broke that she had called off her wedding to fiancé Todd Liubinskas.

The sports broadcaster chatted animatedly on the phone while walking the couple's brown Labrador, Charlie

The sports broadcaster chatted animatedly on the phone while walking the couple’s brown Labrador, Charlie

Mason paired a $90 The Upside tank top with leggings and a Fluidform Pilates cap as she took out her trash

Mason paired a $90 The Upside tank top with leggings and a Fluidform Pilates cap as she took out her trash

Mason, 30, returned to the Maroubra couple’s home on Tuesday morning after attending a gym class, hours after her split from fiancé Liubinskas made headlines.

She was pictured walking the estranged couple’s chocolate Labrador, Charlie, instead of attending a planned media event.

The sports broadcaster appeared desperate as she refused to comment on why her wedding was canceled at the last minute.

Hours later, she came out to take out the trash before walking her dog to nearby Maroubra beach.

The couple was engaged for two years after Liubinskas popped the question in July 2021

The couple was engaged for two years after Liubinskas popped the question in July 2021

Liubinskas and Mason celebrated his 40th birthday with friends about two weeks ago

Liubinskas and Mason celebrated his 40th birthday with friends about two weeks ago

Her public sighting comes as she was scheduled to visit Accord Stadium for an event for Gravity Seltzer, along with sports personalities Matt Poole and Cooper Chapman.

The TV personality called off her engagement three weeks after her planned wedding.

Guests who had accepted invitations to the couple’s Hunter Valley wedding, including a number of high-profile media identities, were informed of its cancellation last week.

The news will have blindsided many, as the couple appeared arm in arm at an event less than two weeks ago.

Mason hid behind large dark sunglasses as she returned home from gym class on Tuesday

Mason hid behind large dark sunglasses as she returned home from gym class on Tuesday

The Channel 9 presenter wore her hair in a ponytail as she carried her car keys and a Frank Green water bottle in one hand

The Channel 9 presenter wore her hair in a ponytail as she carried her car keys and a Frank Green water bottle in one hand

Over the past few weeks, Mason and Liubinskas have been all smiles while holidaying in the snow in Thredbo, NSW and attending the launch of an electric car store.

Mason even threw her personal trainer boyfriend a 40th birthday party just two weeks ago, which he hailed as an “epic surprise.”

But there was one telltale sign that the broadcaster had called off the wedding – which eagle-eyed fans might have picked up when watching Channel Nine’s coverage of the Broncos vs Warriors preliminary final this weekend.

As Mason hosted the Sunday Footy Show from the sidelines, her large diamond engagement ring was noticeably absent from her left hand.

Hours later, Mason emerged to take out the rubbish before walking her dog to nearby Maroubra beach

Hours later, Mason emerged to take out the rubbish before walking her dog to nearby Maroubra beach

The couple are pictured with football legend Tim Cahill (centre) at an event to launch the new BYD electric car showroom in Alexandria, Sydney's south, two weeks ago.

The couple are pictured with football legend Tim Cahill (centre) at an event to launch the new BYD electric car showroom in Alexandria, Sydney’s south, two weeks ago.

Liubinskas works in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach.

He previously worked for celebrity trainer Michelle Bridges’ 12-day body transformation.

Last week he celebrated his 40th birthday at a surprise party at Bondi Hardware restaurant in the eastern suburbs.

“40 feels good!” he wrote on an Instagram post from his birthday.

‘Thanks for the love! An epic surprise,” before tagging Mason.

It is unclear why the wedding was called off.

While Mason ditched her rings this weekend, she was seen with her huge rock two weeks ago when the couple made a public appearance in Sydney.

Mason's fiancée Todd Liubinskas (pictured) appeared somber as he waited in traffic on Tuesday

Mason’s fiancée Todd Liubinskas (pictured) appeared somber as he waited in traffic on Tuesday

The personal trainer seemed lost in thought the day after the cancellation of his wedding hit the news

The personal trainer seemed lost in thought the day after the cancellation of his wedding hit the news

The couple recently enjoyed a holiday together in Thredbo, in the Snowy Mountains in NSW.  There was no indication at the time that anything was wrong

The couple recently enjoyed a holiday together in Thredbo, in the Snowy Mountains in NSW. There was no indication at the time that anything was wrong

The pair were last seen together a fortnight ago at an event to launch BYD’s new electric car and showroom in Alexandria, Sydney’s south.

The couple, who got engaged in July 2021, were seen laughing and posing for photos together at the event for which Mason is a brand ambassador.

Mason is a star on the rise at Channel 9, where she started her career as a newsroom intern in 2012.

She now hosts the Sunday Footy Show, is a sideline reporter at NRL matches and is part of the channel’s Australian Open tennis coverage.