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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

David Beckham’s pal Dave Gardner reunites with ex-wife Davinia Taylor after bitter split

Twelve years on since their acrimonious split and bitter custody battle, one-time couple Dave Gardner and ex-wife Davinia Taylor appeared to be on better terms as they reunited for a family lunch.

The entertainment manager, who is close friends with football legend David Beckham, and the former Hollyoaks actress were pictured looking friendly as they enjoyed a meal in a restaurant with their teenage son, Grey.

While their outing provided nothing to suggest a romantic reconciliation, rumours have been rife about Dave's current relationship woes with Hollywood actress Liv Tyler, daughter of Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler.

Liv spent two months in Los Angeles without Dave last year, and has been spotted without her engagement ring.

Dave and Davinia were once one of Britain's most well-connected and glamorous couples, tying the knot in 2003 at a £875,000 star studded ceremony in Cheshire, with best man Beckham by the groom's side during the nuptials.

Atomic Kitten singer Jenny Frost was another famous face at the wedding, acting as one of Davinia's bridesmaids, with Sister Sledge also performing at the fancy reception for the pair's celebrations.

However, after a lavish life together, partying with Primrose Hill set members such as Kate Moss who is godmother to their son Grey, Davinia and Dave ended things in 2009, with a bitter divorce following in 2010.

The mum-of-four's "unreasonable behaviour" was cited as ground for divorce, and her former husband was awarded a settlement believed to be in the region of £1 million.

He was also awarded primary custody of their son.

In 2018, the 43-year-old spoke to Lorraine Kelly about the "humiliation" of losing her son, and how it spurred her on to become sober.

Davinia opened up about their bitter custody battle in 2018 (REX/Shutterstock)

"That humiliation to be honest that spurred me on to keep sober and keep on the program... that was a catalyst that took me into the depths of depression, the support I received was monumental. I think I would be dead," she told the Scottish TV presenter while appearing on her show.

The star added: "Professional help, and support of people who've already been there. It’s normally so quiet and hush hush for people to speak out and say: "I've had post-natal depression" and as clear as day I went into a massive deep hole and couldn't get out."

The former party girl has since gone on to revive her career, opening her own beauty salon in 2011 and returning to Channel 4 show Hollyoaks in 2016 after an 18-year absence from the show.

Ex-husband Dave also moved on with his life too, finding love with movie star Liv Taylor.

Liv Tyler and Dave Gardner at Cheltenham races in 2017 (Daily Mirror)

The unlikely couple met back in 2014, with the entertainment manager popping the question to the Lord of the Rings star the following year.

The couple have two children together, six-year-old son Sailor Gener and five-year-old daughter Lula Rose.

Speculation about the pair's relationship arouse last year when the 44-year-old actress left their Cotswolds family home in 2020 to fly to Los Angeles for eight weeks with their two children.

While away, Liv recorded a video message for her partner's 44th birthday but her engagement ring was suspiciously missing from her left hand.

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