Matt Dawson tells of split from wife days after he is axed by A Question Of Sport
FORMER England rugby world cup winner Matt Dawson has split from his wife after 11 years together.
The shock announcement comes just ten days after it was revealed he had been axed as team captain from BBC’s A Question Of Sport.
The 47-year-old said his relationship with Carolin Hauskeller, 34, needed a ‘new direction’.
He urged friends to support them ‘positively’ and said they want to remain friends as they care for sons Alex, seven, and Sami, six.
In a statement, Dawson wrote: ‘We know this will be a surprise to most but after 11 years together Carolin and I have decided our relationship needs a new direction, bringing our marriage to an end.
‘The love for our beautiful boys grows stronger day by day as does our friendship as co-parents. To our dear friends please continue to support us as positively as you can for the next stage of our lives. It’s vital that Alex and Sami understand that we will always be a united family.’
Dawson, who was part of England’s rugby world cup winning side in 2003, tied the knot with the former model in Spain in 2011 – two years after they began dating.
Many of their friends passed on messages of support to the couple on social media following the news. Jason Donovan, 52, wrote: ‘Sending love to you both mate. The Donovans.’ Fellow rugby star Danny Care and his wife Jodie both posted red love heart emojis.
Earlier this month it was announced that host Sue Barker, 64, and team captains Dawson and Phil Tufnell, 54, had been axed from A Question Of Sport. Dawson had joined the long running BBC sports quiz in 2004.
Last week Gary Lineker appeared to confirm Alex Scott was the new A Question Of Sport host.
The Match of the Day presenter congratulated the former Arsenal footballer on her appointment in a post on Twitter on Thursday.
However, the BBC then denied that any conversations had taken place with Miss Scott, 35. Miss Barker previously told Sportsmail of her sadness at having to leave the show after 24 years.