Russell Crowe and the rugby mum from Yorkshire

Russell Crowe and the rugby mum from Yorkshire

Russell Crowe will spend Christmas with a widowed mum of four from West Yorkshire ­after splitting with his wife Danielle Spencer.

Julie Burgess became friends with 48-year-old Crowe when her son Sam, 23, signed for the actor’s rugby team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, in 2009.

Since then, Crowe has signed his three brothers, taking them all to Sydney.

Last night, Julie, brought up in Dewsbury, said: “Russell is ­always very, very hospitable and looks after the boys. He loves being part of our family, he likes to look after us.”

The signing of all her sons has meant Julie, an assistant headmistress at a school in Leeds and former rugby player ­herself, has been spending more time in Australia.

Mates: Julie is pals with Crowe, and went to game with him in 2010

 

Now Julie, Sam and his three brothers Luke, 25, Tom and George, both 20, will celebrate the festive season at Crowe’s farm in the coastal city of Coffs Harbour near Sydney.

A source close to the Gladiator star revealed: “Russell and Julie’s sons are really close, they have moved all the way from Yorkshire to Sydney at very young ages so he has ­really looked after them all.

“They are the stars of his team and he has close friendships with them, so naturally Julie has got to know him well too. The boys have to remain in Australia over Christmas so Julie will be flying over to join them at Russell’s farm.”

Amazonian blonde Julie, 51, who speaks several languages, now lives in a £230,000 detached home in Liversedge.

Laughing at a game in 2010

 

But she regularly jets over to Sydney to watch her sons play. In 2010, she was seen laughing with Crowe at a game.

The source added: “They get on extremely well. She is very appreciative of the support Russell gives the boys but likes to go over as often as she can to support them herself.

“Russell also meets up with Julie when he is working in the UK and over the years they have become close.”

Last week, Julie appeared on an Australian TV show where she spoke about moving to Australia permanently to be with her children.

And earlier this year, Julie retweeted a message Crowe had put on Twitter talking about his excitement at signing the Burgess brothers.

He wrote: “Nice one! RT @russellcrowe: Just saw the Burgess boys, looking super fit. Season can’t start too soon. Come on the Bunnies!!! @samburgess8.”

Team-mates: Luke, George and Sam

Julie's fourth son, Tom

This month, Crowe and wife of nine years, singer Danielle Spencer â€" also from Yorkshire â€" announced they were to split. The couple wed in 2003 and have two children, Charlies, eight, and Tennyson, six.

It is believed Russell’s demanding film schedule led to their relationship breaking down because they rarely saw one another for most of 2012.

Reports of a rift began in June when Danielle, 43, was photographed during a night out with her partner on Australian reality show, Dancing With The Stars, Damian Whitewood.

Crowe is currently in the US filming movie Noah, while Danielle is at their £6million mansion in Sydney, with their sons.

The couple became friends 22 years ago before getting together after Crowe’s ­infamous relationship with actress Meg Ryan.

Last night Julie said: “Russell is always very, very hospitable and looks after the boys. He loves being part of our family, he likes to look after us.”