By Sharnaz Shahid
- Couple expected to be granted a Decree Nisi on Wednesday
- Football pundit and Welsh model have split after six years of marriage
- Divorce said to be fuelled by Danielle's desire to start a family, while father-of-four Gary allegedly didn't want more children
- A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'They remain the greatest of friends and wish each other every happiness'
- Gary Lineker and his wife Danielle have split after six years of marriage amid claims that they disagreed over starting a family together.
The pair confirmed their divorce today, just over six years after the former footballer and actress were married in Italy in 2009, but they insist they remain on good terms.
It is believed that Danielle, 36, wanted to start a family but former footballer Lineker, 55, who already has four children, feels he is too old to father another.
The divorce is just days after they were last seen together on a night out in London, but it is claimed they have been living separate lives for over a year.
The couple, believed to worth around £20million, allegedly spent just £400 on the divorce, filling out the online forms together to get a Decree Nisi which was granted today.
Amicable: The couple - who tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Italy in September 2009 - have called time on their relationship but remain on good terms
Actress and model Danielle already has a 14-year-old daughter with former Coventry City player Adam Willis, but a friend told The Sun she wants another child - and Lineker does not.
The source said: 'They made a great couple but their different views on having children is what made them realise had to split.
'They both know it is the right thing to do and are looking forward to the future. They are convinced they will stay friends.'
In an interview in 2010 - the year after they were married - Gary admitted he was uncertain as to whether or not they should have more children.
'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,' he told The Times newspaper.
'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.'
They were last pictured together on January 4 during a night out in London, where they watched The Wasp, a play at Trafalgar Studios.
The actress was seen without her wedding ring, prompting speculation that their relationship had become strained in recent weeks.
But the couple spent Christmas together in England while Gary's four sons joined their mother Michelle in Barbados over the festive period.
Three weeks ago, Danielle posted a cryptic Instagram message, hinting she was feeling heartbroken.
It simply read: 'It's all about love. We're either in love, dreaming about love, recovering from it, wishing for it or reflecting on it.'
GARY LINEKER AND WIFE DANIELLE: RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGES
Gary Lineker
Age: 55
Place of birth: Leicester, England
Romances: Lineker married Michelle Cockayne in 1986, but they divorced in August 2006.
The football star married Danielle on 2 September 2009, in Italy.
Personal life: Gary and Michelle had four sons, George, Harry, Tobias and Angus together.
Career: Lineker came through the youth system at Leicester City and played there for ten years, finishing as the first division's (now the Premiership) top scorer. He went on to play for Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur, before closing out his career at a Japanese club.
Gary played for the England national football team 1984-'92. Captain 1990-'92.
Lineker's talent at Leicester won him a place in the England team in 1984, and in the 1986, he was the tournament's top scorer, with six goals, winning him the coveted Golden Boot.
His goals helped propel England to the semi-finals, where they were beaten by Argentina after Diego Maradona's infamous 'hand of God' goal.
He played in 80 internationals and scored 48 goals for England.
The star was awarded the OBE in the 1992 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to Association Football.
In 1995, Gary joined Match Of The Day as a pundit before becoming the main presenter in 1999.
BBC has received some criticism as Gary is believed to be on around £2million a year.
On 9 June 2015, Lineker was unveiled as the lead presenter of BT Sport's UEFA Champions League coverage.
Gary also stars in advertisements for Walkers crisps.
Danielle Lineker nee Bux
Age: 36
Place of birth: Cardiff, Wales
Romances: Danielle was previously in a relationship with former Coventry City footballer Adam Willis.
She also dated Scottish rugby player Simon Danielli before being introduced to Gary in 2007.
Personal life: Danielle and Adam are parents to 14-year-old daughter Ella.
Career: Danielle had worked as a model since she was 18 and also enjoyed a spell as an air stewardess for Virgin Atlantic.
She then became the face of La Senza lingerie and was third place on Hell's Kitchen in 2009.
In 2011, the model appeared in stage productions Calendar Girls and Responsible Other.
In 2015, she appeared in independent horror film Curse Of The Witching Tree and movie Kicking Off.
Gary and Danielle started dating in September 2007 after agreeing to a blind date at an Italian restaurant, following Danielle's split from Scottish rugby player Simon Danielli.
'It's the only blind date I've ever been on. But I was beginning to despair of ever meeting "the one",' he told The Mirror in 2012.
He added: 'My mate told me Danielle was gorgeous but I've seen his 'gorgeous' before. So I Googled her and just thought "Wow".'
'I was surprised at how much younger and more handsome he looked than on TV,' added Danielle.
Gary added: 'I still have no idea why Danielle was so nervous. She’s not like that at all. She’s much feistier than I am. When we row, I sulk but she throws plates. She’s very witty and smart. There was just a buzz from the word go.'
The two dated in secret for two months before they were pictured enjoying romantic getaways in cities such as Barbados, Dubai, Rome, Vienna.
They exchanged wedding vows in a secret £400 civil ceremony in Ravello, Italy, in the presence of just two witnesses in 2009, before throwing an extravagant reception for guests.
Their bash - believed to have set the multimillionaire sportsman back £250,000 - included a £20,000 six-course meal for around 50 guests.
The newlyweds also had a blessing, which took place in the same spot the Match of the Day host proposed to Danielle in 2008.
Their union: Gary and Danielle got married in a secret £400 civil ceremony in Ravello, Italy, in the presence of just two witnesses in 2009
'Some weeks it seems like a good idea': In an interview in 2010, Gary admitted he was uncertain as to whether or not they should have children
However, the bride's father Roy, a shopworker from Cardiff, at the time claimed he had not been invited to any of the celebrations.
He reportedly had a huge bust-up with Danielle after he let slip to the media that she was engaged to Lineker, who is said to be worth about £20m.
'If I had gone Danielle would have been unhappy. I wish her and Gary all the very best,' he told The Sun.
Danielle had worked as a model since she was 18 and also enjoyed a spell as an air stewardess for Virgin Atlantic.
Her career soared after meeting Gary and she became the face of La Senza lingerie and was third place on Hell's Kitchen in 2009.
She is currently building up her own career, moving from modelling to acting with various appearances including stage productions Calendar Girls and Responsible Other.
Danielle has also filmed an episode of an American drama series called Aquarius, starring X Files actor David Duchovny, and her first film, Kicking Off, which came out last year.
Meanwhile, Gary's romance with Danielle came after a 20-year-marriage to childhood sweetheart Michelle.
The former couple - who have four sons together, George, 23, Harry, 21, Tobias, 19, and Angus, 17 - announced their separation in April 2006 and at the time stated it was an amicable decision.
Last year, Gary's brother Wayne revealed that he has been estranged from the football pundit since 2008, blaming Danielle for their rift.
WHAT IS A QUICKIE DIVORCE?
The term 'quickie divorce' is used for couples who split amicably, without disputing the terms.
The legal divorce can be completed in just weeks if couples fill in the forms on the government website, to apply for a Decree Nisi from the courts - which can be done online.
This means that the court sees no reason why the divorce can't be completed, and if both parties have agreed terms, the court should be able to grant it quickly.
Six weeks after it is granted, if the terms are still not disputed, a Decree Absolute is granted, completing the legal process.
By agreeing the terms of the divorce, it means the couple do not have to endure long and expensive court battles that draw out many divorces.
However, the procedure involved in a 'quickie divorce' is actually no different to any other.
His past: The retired footballer was previously married for 20 years to childhood sweetheart Michelle, the former couple announced their separation in April 2006 but stated it was an amicable decision
His boys: Gary with his three lookalike sons (L-R) Angus, Tobias and George at the London premiere of Bad Education Movie in August.
Speaking to The Sun's Natalie Edwards, Wayne explained: 'In my opinion Danielle cost me my relationship with my brother. Sadly, Gary is no longer part of my life.'
The former TOWIE star, who owns the Lineker's bar chain in Europe, said the cracks began to show when Gary first brought Danielle to Ibiza, shortly after they became an item.
'They came to Ibiza in August 2008 and it was really awkward. I didn't spark with Danielle and our relationship was cold.'
He also said that the final nail in the coffin came when he was banned from bringing his girlfriend of 18-months to the couple's lavish Italian wedding.
Back in a 1994 interview, Gary described his brother as his 'best friend' and heaped praise on him for his business savvy, saying: 'Wayne is good at business, he has always been able to turn a penny into tuppence.
'I admire the way he has built up the clubs. I backed him with the first one in Tenerife but he has now taken it over. It is his little empire. I'm very proud of him.'
'Our relationship was cold': Last year, Gary's brother Wayne revealed that he has been estranged from the football pundit since 2008, blaming Danielle for their rift
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