Hugh Jackman's ex wife Deborra-Lee Furness cosies up to pal Robbie Williams in first appearance since she confirmed their split was over his rumoured affair with Sutton Foster

Robbie Williams was a supportive shoulder to lean on for Deborra -Lee Furness on Wednesday night as she made a rare red carpet appearance for a screening of her friend's biopic Better Man in New York City .

Deborra-Lee went makeup-free for the event, posing for photos at the Metrograph with her friend Robbie, who was dapper in a yellow jacket.

It marks the first appearance for Deborra-Lee after she appeared to confirm the real reason for her September 2023 legal separation from Hugh Jackman .

Earlier this week her social media activity confirmed that the split was the result of Hugh's rumoured affair with his former Music Man leading lady, Sutton Foster .

The Australian 68-year-old's private Instagram account 'liked' an October 26th video from gossip blogger Tasha Lustig claiming he was 'running off with the mistress' and planning a 'soft launch' of their relationship - according to Us Weekly .

Adding credence to the claim was Deborra-Lee's friend Amanda de Cadenet, who commented on the same post: 'You are on point with this one. My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment fyi!'

Hugh and Sutton began workshopping Jerry Zaks' Broadway revival of the 1957 musical in March 2020 before the musical eventually made it to stage post-pandemic in February 2022, running for 11 months at the Winter Garden Theatre in Manhattan.

According to insiders, their affair during the show was 'Broadway's worst-kept secret' and now it's claimed the 'really happy' pair are keen to have their relationship out in the open.

'A lot of people on Broadway knew, and we kept it quiet because both of them are so nice and great people. Everyone respected their privacy. But there was an affair and overlap. They are really happy now,' a source close to Foster told Us Weekly .

They continued: 'Hugh's whole image is that he's the nicest guy in Hollywood, so he doesn't know what to do with this.'

And while a source told DailyMail.com on October 26 that Furness 'had her suspicions when Hugh started working with Sutton' an industry source claimed the opposite to Us Weekly.

'Deborra-Lee was blindsided when she found out about the affair through the run of the show,' the insider said.

'It was apparently Broadway's worst-kept secret, and Deborra-Lee was the last to know. [Worse yet,] he didn't own up to it!'

Hugh and Deborra, who are parents to son Oscar Maximilian Jackman, 24; and daughter Ava Eliot Jackman, 19, announced their split after 27 years in September 2023.

Deborra was at Wednesday's screening to support Robbie, who was all smiles as he added a white netted tank top under his eye catching blazer on the red carpet.

The Let Me Entertain You hitmaker put on an animated display on stage before later posing for selfie with fans.

He later posed with Rufus Wainwright before planting a kiss on his cheek as the pair took to the stage together.

The first look clip of the biopic, sees Robbie, played by actor Jonno Davies, through his life from school to the stage as his hit track, Let Me Entertain You, plays in the background.

In the voiceover, he explains: 'I know what you're thinking. What's with the monkey?

'I'm one of the biggest popstars in the world. But, I've always seen myself as a little less evolved.'

While Jonno, takes on the role of younger Robbie, the singer is heard in the voiceover and later plays the older version of himself.

From Greatest Showman director, Michael Gracey, it also stars Jake Simmance as Gary Barlow, Liam Head as Mark Owen, Jesse Hyde as Howard Donald and Chase Vollenweider as Jason Orange.

Sharing a first look to X, he captioned the video: 'Based on a true story... 'BETTER MAN' - coming soon. Visit betterman.robbiewilliams.com/ for more info and global release dates.'

The official synopsis reads: 'Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

'Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey ('The Greatest Showman'), the film is uniquely told from Williams' perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit.

'It follows Robbie's journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.'