Michael van Gerwen was pictured leaving his hotel today, days after his ex-wife Daphne Govers admitted to a ‘mistake’ by having a baby with her new partner.
The Dutchman and a mystery brunette walked out together from the hotel near Alexandra Palace, where Van Gerwen is seeking to secure another PDC World Championship title. Daily Mail Sport understands the woman is a partner of one of Van Gerwen’s friends supporting him at Ally Pally.
The pair shared an embrace as her bag was packed into a car before leaving.
Van Gerwen, 36, had earlier this year announced his separation from his wife Daphne.
The three-time PDC world champion admitted that 2025 had been his ‘worst year’, telling Dutch newspaper AD in May that ‘at some point, you want to think about nice things again, not just be preoccupied with the mess you’re experiencing at that moment’.
It had been revealed that Daphne had begun a new relationship and this week gave a public interview with her new boyfriend Robert.
Michael van Gerwen was seen leaving his Ally Pally hotel on Tuesday
The three-time champion embraced his female companion as her bag was packed into a car
Robert confirmed in a Dutch television interview that he and Govers had known each other ‘for a long time’ and had ‘always clicked’ before the start of their relationship.
‘That’s when the spark ignited,’ Robert told Shownieuws. ‘It wasn’t the intention but it happened.
‘We didn’t want to offend anyone, let me be clear about that. We didn’t want to hurt anyone, not Michael, not anyone. It happened. It turned out a little differently than expected.’
Govers added: ‘But not everything that’s been posted online is true.
‘I just want to say that (Robert) had already broken up with his ex (when the pair started their relationship).’
Govers did confirm that she believed that she was friends with her ex-husband, while Robert stressed that he has ‘respect’ for Van Gerwen, meeting the darts player often due to the custody arrangement for his and Govers’ two children Zoe and Mike.
‘I find it difficult,’ Robert added. ‘Of course, I pulled that trick on him, and I’m not proud of it.
‘But hey, I chose my own happiness, and he’s welcome here.’
Van Gerwen’s ex-wife Daphne Govers and her boyfriend Robert broke their silence in an interview on Dutch television
Govers also spoke at length about her ‘miracle’ baby, who she and Robert will welcome at the start of the new year
Govers and Van Gerwen had been together since 2014 before their split earlier this year
She was his frequent companion on tour and the pair share two children, Zoe and Mike
The interview also saw Govers share details about the ‘miracle’ child she and her new boyfriend are set to welcome in January – eight months after her May separation.
‘I didn’t expect it. I was at the hospital with the other two, too,’ Govers said. ‘I couldn’t have gotten pregnant naturally. If it does happen, it’ll be a miracle.
‘My world was completely turned upside down. How am I going to handle this? But in the end, it all worked out. It’s more than welcome.’
When asked about how van Gerwen feels about the pregnancy, she replied: ‘I wouldn’t dare say. I don’t think very happy, but I really don’t know.’
Van Gerwen is bidding to earn a fourth World Championship title of his career at Ally Pally, with the Dutch star having advanced to the fourth round.
He overcame qualifier Arno Merk 4-1 in his latest match on Monday and will meet two-time world champion Gary Anderson in the next round.
Van Gerwen is the third seed at the tournament and bidding to go one step further than last year, when he finished as runner-up to Luke Littler.
The 36-year-old was in a bullish mood when discussing his upcoming match against Anderson.
‘The first time I played Gary was probably 22 or 23 years ago,’ Van Gerwen said in his post-match press conference.
‘We know exactly what we have to do to beat each other. We’ve had so many great battles, and I hope we’re going to have another one in two days’ time.’