Christian Wilkins speaks out as confronting photos of his TV star dad Richard being arrested by multiple police officers in a Sydney park – but all is not as it seems

Richard Wilkins’ son, Christian Wilkins, has responded to a photo circulating online of his famous father allegedly being arrested by the police.

In the viral image, the 68-year-old TV veteran is spotted by police officers in a Sydney park.

He is wearing baggy jeans, a dark blue hooded t-shirt and a down jacket. The Today Show’s entertainment reporter looks shocked while handcuffed.

Two of the officers are holding Richard’s arms while his hands are behind his back and a third officer appears to rush over.

But the photo is not all it seems – the realistic image is actually an AI-generated image, with Richard’s face photoshopped onto a criminal’s body.

Richard’s son Christian spoke about the fake photo on his Instagram Story on Friday and assured fans that his father, the TV presenter, was not arrested.

He also made a light-hearted joke about his father’s fashion choices.

“For those wondering, yes, this news is fake,” he said.

But the photo is not all it seems – the realistic image is actually an AI-generated image, with Richard’s face photoshopped onto a criminal’s body. Richard’s son Christian spoke about the fake photo on his Instagram Story on Friday and assured fans his father, the TV presenter, was not arrested.

“There’s no way you[Richard Wilkins]can’t see unless he’s wearing skinny jeans.”

It comes after rumors that Richard is preparing to tie the knot for the fourth time.

Sources close to the Weekend Today host say he wants to commit to former flight attendant Nicola Dale, who he has been dating since 2020.

Dickie may be 68, but he still has a lot of life left in him. He is more than ready to finally settle down now,” a source told New Idea.

“For those wondering, yes, this news is fake,” Christian said. “There’s no way you[Richard Wilkins]can’t see unless he’s wearing skinny jeans.” In the photo: Christian (left) and Richard (right) in February

“You just have this wonderful lightness about you. As a couple, they give each other space, but they seem to enjoy being together.”

“He also sees his good friend Karl Stefanovic so happy and content with Jasmine and his new family and Dickie wants what Karl has,” they added.

Richard recently attended the wedding of his son Nick, 37, and daughter-in-law Bree and shared a loved-up photo on Instagram of the pair kissing at the altar.

Rumor has it that Richard is preparing to tie the knot for the fourth time. Sources close to the Weekend Today presenter (68) say he wants to commit to former flight attendant Nicola Dale (pictured together in January).

Dickie may be 68, but he still has a lot of life left in him. He is more than ready to finally settle down now,” a source told New Idea

Happy birthday to my wonderful son Nick and his wife Bree… what a wonderful day! #soprot,” he wrote in the caption.

Richard was married three times and has five children by four different mothers.

He first married at the age of 18 after his 16-year-old girlfriend, Lynette, became pregnant. The teenage couple had a son together named Adam.

After moving to Australia to pursue his pop career, Richard remarried and had two more children, daughter Rebecca and son Nick.

Richard and Nicola walk the red carpet in Sydney on 9 December 2021

When that marriage ended, Richard had a string of romances with high-profile women, including actress Rebecca Gibney in 1989.

Their relationship reportedly ended when Richard left the actress for his third wife, Michelle Burke. Together the couple had a son, model and actor Christian.

After their separation, Richard had a fifth child with designer Collette Dinnigan. They separated in 2004 while she was still giving birth to their daughter Estella.

In 2017, Richard joked that after three divorces, “marriage is not my specialty.”

Dickie has five children with four different mothers. (Pictured with his children Adam, 49, Rebecca, 39, Nick, 37, Christian, 27, and Estella, 18)