Sam Wood: Former Bachelor Australia star denied bail over domestic violence charges

Former Bachelor Australia star and fitness coach Sam Wood will remain in jail after he was denied bail over alleged domestic violence offences.

Wood was arrested on Saturday at a beachfront property on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, and later charged with domestic violence assault and strangulation.

His lawyer told the court on Thursday Wood may argue he acted in self defence during a family fight, but stressed he denies the strangulation charge.

The 46-year-old rose to fame in the 2015 season of the reality TV show and later became the public face of a popular online home fitness and nutrition brand, 28 by Sam Wood - from which he was dumped after his arrest.

Wood - who lives in Melbourne but was on holiday in Noosa - appeared via videolink at Maroochydore Magistrates Court where he applied for bail after five nights in custody.

Police prosecutors told the court the alleged victim had provided a video statement in which she said she had been choked, couldn't breathe, and had her head banged against the floor.

"She thought she was going to die," Sergeant Jeanette Grigoris said.

They also tendered photos of the alleged victim's injuries, as well as a recording of a call to emergency services in which a witness says the woman was choked.

The complainant supports the criminal charges, Grigoris added.

Wood's lawyer Mathew Cuskelly had argued that there was a lack of evidence to support the strangulation charge, which "seems unusual" given the "nature" and "gravity" of the allegation.

He also said his client had been involved in an argument, in which the complainant had been "hostile" when he pushed her - circumstances which could entitle him to a self-defence claim.

Cuskelly said Wood suffers from severe depression, and argued he should be bailed so that he can access mental health support and salvage his professional reputation "which has taken a hell of a beating".

But Grigoris argued there was a risk Wood would interfere with witnesses or reoffend, or fail to return to Queensland to face court.

On Monday, a statement "from the Wood family" was released on both he and his wife's social media.

"This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family and thoroughly co-operating with the authorities," the post said.

DBG Health, which bought Wood's fitness brand for millions of dollars in 2022, initially said Wood had been placed on "indefinite leave" but later announced it had cut its commercial arrangements with him "effective immediately".

"DGB Health does not tolerate domestic violence in any form, and our thoughts are with people impacted by it," the company said.

Since the charges, a number of fitness influencers and corporate sponsors have also cut ties with Wood including fitness trainer Tiffiny Hall and Married At First Sight star Jules Robinson.

Wood came to national prominence during the 2015 season of The Bachelor Australia where he met contestant Snezana Markoski.

They married in 2018 and have four daughters, including one from his wife's former relationship.

Wood is next due in court on 23 November.