Clive Rothwell was the ex-partner of Belle Gibson
With its new series, Apple Cider Vinegar, Netflix is narrating Belle Gibson’s crimes and falsehoods while also shedding light on her closest associates throughout her fictitious cancer crisis. Here are Gibson’s comments regarding her relationship with Clive Rothwell and his current situation after she revealed her wrongdoing.
Belle Gibson became well-known on social media as a wellness advocate in the early 2010s after she claimed that natural treatments and a good diet helped her survive a fatal case of brain cancer. She also started The Whole Pantry app, which was eventually adapted into a cookbook of the same name, and amassed thousands of followers on social media, where she shared her health journey.
Who is Clive Rothwell, partner of Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar’s Belle Gibson and where is he now in 2025
A number of real people on the show have had their names changed by Netflix, but one person’s identity hasn’t changed, her partner Clive Rothwell.
In the series the character of Clive is a big part of Belle’s life, played by Ashley Zukerman. Clive and Belle quickly begin a romantic relationship and he helps her move out of her flat with Nathan and the two end up living together and Clive supports her while she makes her app and furthers her Instagram following and works towards her recipe book. He acts as a supportive step-dad to her young son, and they try for a second baby but in the third episode Belle miscarries
In reality, the majority of the life of Clive Rothwell has been spent in solitude. As a result, hardly much is known about him.
Like everyone else watching Apple Cider Vinegar, I googled "where is Belle Gibson now?"
Omg. pic.twitter.com/HVsbTndsH9
— Jackie (@jackie_jade_) February 6, 2025
He was described as an IT consultant in the Netflix series, but when Gibson appeared in court in 2019, she stated that she was unaware of his occupation.
Gibson stated in court that Rothwell paid for a large portion of her living expenses, so when asked about his salary, she replied she was unsure, adding, “That’s not my business.”
Another source of contention has been the state of Rothwell and Gibson’s relationship. During her 2019 court appearance, Gibson disclosed that she and her kid shared a residence with Rothwell, but she maintained that they were not romantically involved.
Check out this interview with the real Belle Gibson on 60 Minutes Australia from a few years ago 👀
She’s something alright… #applecidervinegar #KaitlynDever #Netflix pic.twitter.com/rDjTrJJckX
— 𝙲𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚊 𝙱𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚝 (@CinemaBurst) February 6, 2025
However, in a January 2024 Woman’s Day interview, Gibson’s close friend Chanelle McAuliffe who apparently served as the inspiration for Aisha Dee’s character on the show referred to Rothwell as Gibson’s partner while talking about her early friendship with the influencer.
“It was a very close relationship. I slept at her house, I hung out with her son Oliver and her partner [Clive Rothwell]. I told her about my partner at the time who had a traumatic brain injury. Belle really tried to connect with us.”
Rothwell was involved in Gibson’s early professional beginnings, even if he hasn’t been directly connected to her crimes. Notably, according to the Herald Sun, he registered the domain name The Whole Pantry in 2013.
When Gibson appeared in court in 2019, Rothwell’s name was used numerous times. Gibson had stated that she and Rothwell owed $90,000 prior to a prior hearing, but she would not specify the purpose of the loan.
She also disclosed that Rothwell covered a large portion of her bills, including her portion of their weekly rent of $600, other living expenses, and hundreds of dollars in legal fees. She even alleged in court that he paid for a $5,000 trip to Africa that she and her kid took.
Wasn’t sure I could stomach @netflix #applecidervinegar & it really is a tough watch.
The idea that Belle Gibson faked a #Glioblastoma diagnosis for attention & then for profit and is utterly horrific.
The acting is v good but sadly Laura wasn’t acting – this was her real life. pic.twitter.com/XaO7LcdPie— shitscaredmum (@shitscaredmum) February 8, 2025
Where does Clive Rothwell live?
Clive Rothwell currently lives in Australia, although he maintains a very low profile. He and Gibson were apparently living together in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote, Victoria, in 2019. However, he was spotted with another woman in late 2023, indicating that they had broken up.
In 2023 he was spotted moving into a new two bedroom apartment on a different side of town to where he lived with Gibson.
At one point there were rumours the pair were engaged, however, when Gibson appeared in court in 2019 (after she failed to pay the $410,000 fine she was given for making false claims about donating to charity), she swore under oath and denied they were romantically involved or engaged and neither did they have any children together.
Rothwell has consistently turned down interviews with the media and has not yet commented on how he is portrayed in Netflix’s new TV show.
Played by Kaitlyn Dever, Belle Gibson was an Australian wellness influencer found to have defrauded the public with false claims of curing her own cancer with natural remedies and ran a successful blog, The Whole Pantry, which she parlayed into a cookbook and app.
Belle was eventually charged for violating Australia’s consumer laws with her fraudulent claims, and was fined $410,000 but little is known about her whereabouts in 2025. She is believed to still live in Melbourne with her son, and spent a period of time enmeshed the African diaspora, going by a different name.