Blencke, 48, will be hoping to avoid the McCain’s frozen Christmas special after he was refused bail this week on one count of common assault for the alleged attack on his wife Annabelle Price. It’s understood the father-of-three is enduring a harsh reality check, adjusting to life in standard issue prison greens – a far cry from the tailored garb that has been his signature look in recent years.

The eastern suburbs bon vivant is due to remain behind bars on remand until at least December 21 when it’s understood he will defend the charges.

Never far from a rollicking good time, the one-time trusted advisor to many of the city’s wealthiest and most conservative families is staring down the barrel of a late career pivot. Emerald City is reliably informed his role at Tribeca Investment Partners is now hanging by a thread after just a few short months. The company was contacted for comment.

Price, 30, is understood to be leaning on Jessica Bowditch, the wife of one of Sydney’s highest-profile investment bankers Dyson Bowditch, who recently gave a heartfelt speech at her 30th birthday party. Dyson and Freddie have long worked and socialised in the same circles, so loyalties are sure to be tested as the unfortunate drama continues to unfold.

Fashion it-girl Caroline Tran engaged

A week out from Christmas and celebrated stylist Caroline Tran and partner James Sturrock have plenty to celebrate after quietly getting engaged on Friday. Emerald City is told the brand consultant and celebrity stylist Tran 29, is still in shock after her partner of nine years dropped to one knee on Balmoral Beach.

The pair have been together for nine years after meeting at the University of Sydney while living at college. Last year they purchased a chic two-bedroom terrace in trendy Darlinghurst.

While there’s no word yet on who of her tight-knit circle of fame-seeker friends will make the cut in the bridal party, it’s likely big sister Alyce (former co-founder of The Daily Edited) and celebrated designer Michael Lo Sordo will stand with the bride at the altar.

Tran, 29, hails from Adelaide and is a former fashion editor at Harper’s BAZAAR while husband-to-be James, 30, is a former Mosman boy who works at Graincorp – a far cry from the scene in which his wife-to-be is entrenched.

COVID-19 hits Christmas party circuit

There’s no escaping COVID these days as case numbers climb and the Omicron variant spreads. The Sydney Institute annual dinner – which attracted the great and the good of business, politics and lobbying to the Star’s grand ballroom on Monday night – was no exception.

Loading

Both the dinner itself – where Prime Minister Scott Morrison was the guest speaker – and the after party at BLACK Bar and Grill were hit by COVID-19 case alerts in the days after. Hundreds of attendees including prominent politicians, journalists, lobbyists and chief executives were told to monitor for symptoms.

One high-profile attendee later confessed to the Herald she never checked in anywhere to avoid getting hit with an isolation order.

It was at least the second close call in three days for Morrison who twice tested negative for COVID-19 after being hit with a casual contact alert from attending Kincoppal Rose Bay’s graduation gala at the International Convention Centre the previous Friday night.

Many of the Sydney Institute’s guests were scheduled to attend another big party on Wednesday – the annual Christmas knees-up hosted by PremierState boss Michael Photios – but alas, it was cancelled after a PremierState team member tested positive.