Having courted famous and beautiful women including The Voice presenter Emma Willis, Girls Aloud’s late singer Sarah Harding and actress Sadie Frost, TV presenter Alex Zane finally settled down last summer with trendy artist Nettie Wakefield.
I hear that the couple have, however, already split up, scarcely five months after their wedding celebrations in London.
‘At the end of last year we decided to separate,’ confirms Zane, 43, who proposed to Nettie, 35, in 2018, after a ‘whirlwind year-long romance’.
All over: I hear that Alex Zane and artist wife Nettie Wakefield have already split up, scarcely five months after their wedding celebrations in London (pictured)
He explains: ‘We leave each other in the best way possible for two people who have shared incredible experiences, full of love and laughter and as many happy memories as two people can make in that time.
‘We remain best friends despite making the decision to go our separate ways. Our friends and family have been very supportive through this period, and we appreciate all the help we’ve received.’
The Yorkshireman adds: ‘Obviously, leaving behind a relationship is never easy, but we move forward knowing we have the other to rely on.
All over: Alex said they ‘remain best friends’ after deciding to split at the end of last year
Split: Alex took to Instagram to announce his separation from Nettie
‘It’s as amicable a separation as can be and, of course, we’ll continue to co-parent our whippet, Simon.’
I hear that Nettie, who previously went out with Poldark heart-throb Aidan Turner and was linked to Twilight star Robert Pattinson, is being comforted by the male model Owen McGinnity, who was pictured with his arm round her at a party two months after their wedding bash.
Nettie, whose artworks hang in the capital’s Groucho Club and Maddox Gallery, had exchanged vows with Zane during the pandemic, but they were forced to limit their number of wedding guests because of Covid restrictions, so had the big celebration last August.
Finished: The pair married during the pandemic in a small ceremony but celebrated last year
Zane previously said the celebration, held in July, was the wedding they had ‘always planned to do’ but were unable to due to restrictions during the pandemic.
The TV star’s brother officiated the ceremony, with the wedding party enjoying a carrot and maple cake and a speech from his mother.
Zane made his name on Channel 4 as co-presenter of Popworld with Alexa Chung and the clip show Rude Tube.
Support: Nettie is being comforted by the male model Owen McGinnity (left) who was pictured with his arm round her at a party two months after their wedding bash
After he proposed to Nettie, a source was reported as saying: ‘Alex has been knocked for six since meeting Nettie.
‘He’s completely smitten and soon realised he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.’
Alex had previously been romantically linked to a string of stars, including Emma Willis, Sarah Harding, Pixie Geldof and Sadie Frost.
Love life: Alex courted famous and beautiful women before meeting Nettie including The Voice presenter Emma Willis (L) and actress Sadie Frost (R)
Heartthrob: Nettie previously went out with Poldark heart-throb Aidan Turner (pictured in 2016) before her five-year relationship with Alex
Meanwhile, Nettie and Poldark’s Aidan parted ways in 2017 after six months of dating with reports claiming they were ‘driven apart by conflicting work schedules’.
A source said at the time: ‘Things were great for a time and they were getting serious – but it just wasn’t to be and busy schedules drove them apart.
‘They’ve drifted and things have cooled off but there are no hard feelings. Aidan’s incredibly busy with his career and Nettie’s art is really taking off so they had a lot on their plates.’
Pencil artist Nettie has worked alongside top artists such as Banksy and Damian Hirst and her art has appeared for auction (pictured in 2021 at her Soho exhibition)
Pencil artist Nettie has worked alongside top artists such as Banksy and Damian Hirst.
Her art has also appeared for auction alongside work by Tracey Emin, The Chapman brothers and Jonathan Yeo.
Her main work is reverse portraits, in which she approaches strangers at tube stations to get photos of their hair for drawings.
Nettie, who grew up in Barnes, south west London, has been exhibiting her work in London since completing her masters in 2013.
Comedian: Zane made his name on Channel 4 as co-presenter of Popworld with Alexa Chung and the clip show Rude Tube