BBC Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker is splitting from his wife Danielle after six years of marriage.
A spokesperson has confirmed the split over claims they disagreed about whether to have children together.
Both Gary and Danielle have taken to Twitter today, after a judge granted their ‘quickie’ divorce, to tell their fans they want to remain friends.
Thank you all for your kind words. @DanielleBux and I had many wonderful years together. We remain very close and the greatest of friends.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 13, 2016
We have shared the most incredible 8 years that I will always cherish. We will remain the best of friends. https://t.co/MUTkatkbOa
— Danielle Bux (@DanielleBux) January 13, 2016
The 55-year-old face of Walker’s crisps first met Welsh model Danielle Bux, 36, on a blind date at an Italian restaurant in 2007.
At the time, OBE winner Gary told The Mirror; ‘It’s the only blind date I’ve ever been on. But I was beginning to despair of ever meeting “the one”… my mate told me Danielle was gorgeous but I’ve seen his “gorgeous” before. So I Googled her and just thought – wow.’
The pair dated in secret for several months and tied the knot at a lavish ceremony in Italy in 2009.
Gary had been married previously, to Michelle Cockayne between 1986 and 2006, and they have four children together – George, 23, Harry, 21, Tobias, 19 and Angus, 17.
The former Virgin air stewardess also has a daughter of her own, Ella, 14, with Coventry City player Adam Willis.
From the beginning of their relationship, there was uncertainly over whether the couple would have a baby together.
Gary, former England football captain, told The Times; ‘She has a child from a previous relationship and I have four of my own, so we are not sure if we want any more.
‘Some weeks it seems like a good idea, other weeks it doesn’t. When we are on a plane and we hear screaming babies, it definitely doesn’t… ‘
Danielle also dated Scottish rugby player Simon Danielli before being introduced to Gary in 2007.
A spokesperson added; ‘They remain the greatest of friends and wish each other every happiness… they made a great couple but their different views on having children is what made them realise they had to split.’
