James Packer denies cutting right-hand man Ben Tilley from his inner circle because the billionaire “cheated” on his glamorous ex-girlfriend

James Packer has denied claims he and his decades-old boyfriend Ben Tilley fell out over a woman.

The 56-year-old billionaire businessman recently fired top officials in his inner circle, including his right-hand man Ben, after 50 years of friendship.

Now there are rumors that schoolyard tension has increased between the pals after Packer “came into the limelight” with a glamorous ex-girlfriend of Tilley’s.

However, the Australian investor insists he and Ben are “just taking a break” and are still friends, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday.

“Ben and I are still friends. We’re taking a break from each other,” he told the publication.

Still, insiders claim Packer’s latest romance, described as an “American model, actor and dancer,” initially involved an affair with Tilley.

Packer and Tilley have been close friends since they studied together at Sydney’s posh Cranbrook School.

Tilley was often seen with Packer aboard his $250 million superyacht IJE, which regularly hosts exclusive clients.

The 56-year-old billionaire businessman recently fired top officials in his inner circle, including his right-hand man Ben, after 50 years of friendship. Pictured from left to right: Gonzalo Pieres, Ben Tilley, James Packer and Karl Stefanovic

Most recently, Tilley led the construction of Packer’s sprawling $50 million estate in the Mexican luxury resort of Cabo San Lucas.

In June 2021, Tilley spent $8.9 million on a luxury apartment in the Crown Sydney Tower, just a few floors above Packer’s luxury home.

However, it appears that Tilley was not the only one mercilessly removed from Packer’s inner circle, with two other employees being left out.

Now there are rumors that schoolyard tension has increased between the pals after Packer “came into the limelight” with a glamorous ex-girlfriend of Tilley’s. Pictured with ex-fiancée Mariah Carey

Guy Jalland has reportedly left his post as CEO of Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH), Packer’s multi-billion dollar private equity firm, ending a 35-year relationship.

CPH finance director Mike Johnston has also left after twenty years.

In his biography, Packer described Johnston as “a great friend” who showed “total loyalty to me and my family”.

Both Jalland and Johnston were key figures in the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority’s (ILGA) 2020 fairness inquiry into Packer’s $6 billion casino group Crown Resorts.

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