FOOTBALL ace Andy Carroll and his Towie star wife Billi Mucklow are divorcing after two turbulent years of marriage.
The pair, who have three kids, secretly split in July.
Geordie Andy, 35, recently joined French team Bordeaux, while Billi, 36, remained at their Essex home.
It comes two years after he passed out on a bed with two women on his stag do.
Pals said the couple filed the legal papers earlier this month. They have three children and had been together for 11 years.
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In a statement, ex-England, Newcastle and Liverpool striker Andy said: “Billi and I have privately separated earlier this year and we are under way with our divorce proceedings.
“It has been a hard few months for our family and we continue to move forward amicably for our children.”
A source said: “Andy and Billi care about each other a lot and have made some great memories together, but decided it was best for the family if they went their separate ways having grown apart.
“They’re still focusing on the kids and being the best parents they can be and being respectful of each other.
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“They want the process to be straightforward for everyone involved. Andy has been throwing himself into his football.”
But she forgave Andy when one of the women, Taylor Jane Wilkey, insisted he was a gent and nothing sexual happened.
At the time a pal said: “The wedding cemented their love and marks the start of a new beginning.”
The pair have three children aged nine, six, and four. Andy also has two children, aged 15, and 14, from a previous relationship.
Opening up about family life last year Andy admitted it was difficult playing football away from home.
He said: “All these doors have opened up for me through football and I’m grateful for that but it has challenges.
They’re still focusing on the kids and being the best parents they can be and being respectful of each other
A source
“People see the money but not the sacrifices. I say a lot to Billi, my wife, that I wish I could just walk down the street and be me. No one really sees me. I’m always keeping up appearances.
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“The only sanctuary I have is at home. That’s the only place I can be me. You’re always reserved, always working, you’re always wary. It’s not really a way to live, is it?.
“Someone takes a picture of me and Billi having a glass of wine in a restaurant. You’re always worried.”
Billi shot to fame when she joined reality show The Only Way is Essex during its third series in 2011.
She quit the ITV show in 2013 and is now a Bikram Yoga teacher with a large social media presence.
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The couple started dating in 2013 and he proposed in Rome in 2014.
That year Billi said: “He is one of the most genuine and caring people I have ever met.”
ON THE BRAWL
ANDY was caught up in a street brawl in July — about the time he and Billi split.
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The Sun reported on his bust-up with bystanders outside the high-end Asian restaurant Sexy Fish in London’s Mayfair.
During the 1am altercation boozed-up Andy, whose shirt had been torn, stared at strangers and yelled: “You f***ing want some?”
He had been at the restaurant with Billi. Staff joined efforts to try to pacify the star.
An onlooker said at the time: “Andy was fighting a random geezer on the floor.”
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Andy has often been in the news over his romps, brawls and court cases. In 2008 he was arrested for an alleged nightclub assault, which landed him a police caution.
A year later he was caught up in a bar brawl, charged with assault and fined £1,000, with £2,500 damages. In 2010 he was arrested for assaulting his then-girlfriend Laurie Henderson.
A condition of his bail meant moving in with then- Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan. In 2011 a man was arrested on suspicion of setting fire to Andy’s Range Rover outside Nolan’s house.
In 2017 a gun-wielding motorbike rider tried to rob Andy of his £22,000 watch as he drove home from training with West Ham.
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He began his professional football career with Newcastle United in 2006. In 2011 he earned a £35million transfer to Liverpool, a then record fee for a British player.
He played nine times for England between 2010 and 2012, scoring against Sweden at Euro 2012. He was sold by Liverpool to West Ham but struggled with injuries.
Andy moved back to Newcastle, then to Reading and West Brom.
Andy has been throwing himself into his football
A source
In 2019 he was the 14th wealthiest sportsperson aged 30 or under in The Sunday Times Rich List with a £19million fortune.
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Last year Andy signed for French side Amiens. He is now with Bordeaux in the fourth tier.
On signing for them he said: “I’m happy to be playing football. It’s never been a question of money.”
LUKE LITTLER couldn’t watch as Rob Cross sent him crashing out of the World Grand Prix.
The 17-year-old turned away from the board as his practice buddy hit the bullseye to KO him 2-1 on his debut in Leicester.
‘The Nuke’ never looked in red-hot form and lost the opening set because of poor doubles despite hitting four sizzling 180s.
Littler levelled it up in sets but in the decider Cross needed 88 to finish the job and sealed it with a perfect bullseye.
It was only a third win at the GP for Cross after seven previous appearances.
Teen sensation Littler has now lost in his opening match of both the last major trophies after losing to Michael van Gerwen in the Matchplay in July.
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World No.4 ‘Voltage’ said: “He’s on the crest of a wave still and playing brilliantly all year. He’s picked up trophies regularly. He’s a phenomenon.
“The boy is absolutely mustard which makes it a big result for me. I’ve been shocking in this tournament in the past but my double-starts were brilliant tonight.
“Luke has been different class all year and has beaten me more and he’ll be back, that’s for sure.
“This is a great win and well overdue in the Grand Prix. But it’s up to me to keep it going. This win means nothing unless I get on a decent run and go all the way.”
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PLANET LEGEND (4.00 Huntingdon, nap)
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Up there the entire way when nabbed late at Worcester. He was clear with the winner, who has scored again since, and he can defy a 2lb rise with a similar performance.
WIESAAM (1.53 Leicester, nb)
Collared late on handicap debut at Newcastle. That was over 7f and a drop in distance should prove perfect. Off 3lb higher, he can deservedly get off the mark.
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LORD MELBOURNE (4.25 Leicester, treble)
Back to winning ways with a cosy success at Epsom. He’s gone up 3lb for that, which doesn’t look harsh for a horse who is still unexposed. Ralph Beckett’s horses are in great nick and he can win again for the Arc winning connections.
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Templegate’s tips
LEICESTER
1.53 Wiesaam (nb) 2.23 Connie’s Way 2.53 Kathleen Mary 3.23 Pappabella 3.53 The Ridler 4.25 Lord Melbourne (treble) 5.00 Pearl Sands
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This past Saturday, “Poatan” defended his UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 307, and he did so by putting away Khalil Rountree in violent fashion. Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) has quickly become one of the biggest stars in MMA as he’s achieved plenty in and out of the octagon in less than three years in the promotion.
With five championship wins on his resume and many highlight-reel finishes, is Pereira now the face and most important fighter in the UFC? Where does he rank among the greatest in light heavyweight history?
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MMA Junkie’s Brian Garcia, Nolan King, Mike Bohn, and host Gorgeous George discuss Pereira’s big TKO win over Rountree and take an overall look at his incredible UFC run.
Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.
“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel at noon ET. You can also find each episode on your favorite podcast platforms – including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more – on Tuesday mornings.
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Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
It is not known exactly what compensation would be paid to Ten Hag if his contract was terminated.
In 2021, Ten Hag’s predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer received a £7m pay-off when he was sacked, with an additional £3m going to other members of his staff. This sum goes directly to a club’s accounts under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, reducing the amount they have to spend on players.
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As with transfers, any compensation payable for a new manager can be amortised over the period of the contract. It would depend on the length of contract and the compensation how much of that goes into the current year’s accounts.
However, a club may calculate an anticipated upturn in performance could generate more money in TV revenue, gate receipts and prize money to be worth making a move.
And, as happened last summer, clubs have until 30 June to submit their accounts so any who are at risk of exceeding the Premier League’s limit of £105m of allowable losses over three seasons can sell players.
Last month United announced a net loss of £113.2m to 30 June 2024. The previous years’ losses were £28.7m and £115.5m.
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Some of the losses can be clawed back for PSR purposes and United say they are committed to abiding by the rules.
“I didn’t want to participate because I didn’t want to hear the outcome – I knew what the outcome was going to be.
“It hurts my reputation. I was really disappointed and I almost felt like – I’m not spitting the dummy here – do they really want me to be in the league?”
The disagreement arose when Leicester forward Ollie Chessum was wrongly allowed to return to the field of play by their team medic following a head collision – but was subsequently removed by the independent doctor.
The Tigers boss told an RFU disciplinary panel he informed the doctor that he felt he was being spoken to in a “passive aggressive” manner.
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Cheika accepted he had raised his voice during the exchange and, at one point, moved back in an exaggerated way after being accused by the doctor of towering over him.
The panel said: “No independent matchday doctor should be subject to five minutes of disagreement about a decision that he was entitled to take and had taken.”
“It’s hurt me but I’m happy it didn’t hurt the team,” he said.
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“I didn’t like watching it remotely. I wanted to be there but at the end of the day, you can have a few involvements, a few changes, a few little re-directs.
“Pete is a really experienced head coach and I spoke to the players beforehand and they were good, they knew the plan.
“We had a few obstacles in the lead-up to the game, players coming in and out with illness, all different types of things, so I thought they handled the day really well.”
Leicester return to action on Saturday against Northampton Saints, the defending champions, at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
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