Grant Hackett Confirms Split With Wife, Candice Alley

Alley and Hackett last year

Grant Hackett and Candice Alley have called it quits after five years of marriage, the former Olympic swimmer confirmed today.

"I can confirm media speculation this morning that Candice and I have separated. I want to be dignified in my approach to everything and ensure the children's needs are paramount and put first," he said in a statement.

"I wish Candice every success. It is my hope that everybody can respect the process and be kind to all parties involved as it is a very difficult time."

Hackett's confirmation comes after The Gold Coast Bulletin reported the couple had separated following an incident at the Logies after-party last month, in which Hackett was told to "call it a night" by bouncers hours after being caught on camera struggling to form a sentence.

"He's moved out," a source close to Alley told the Bulletin.

According to reports, until now, the estranged couple, who wed in 2007 and have two-year-old twins together, have been trying to keep the news of their break-up quiet, with Alley doing her best to go about life as normal with the hope no one would notice they had separated.

In happier times, Alley congratulates Hackett following his Silver Medal win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

While Hackett's management would not comment on the media speculation yesterday, a spokesperson for Nine Network has since released the following statement this afternoon: “Grant’s separation is a personal matter for he and Candice. We respect their privacy in this matter and continue to support him as an important member of our on air team. Grant remains a valued member of the Nine Network’s London 2012 Olympic Games swimming commentary team.”

Rumours that Westpac Banking Corporation - of which Hackett is an employee heading up their Sports and Entertainment sector - had dumped him have been dismissed. Today, a spokesperson for the banking giant told WHO: "Grant Hackett is, and remains, an employee of Westpac." Controversial Melbourne 3AW broadcaster Derryn Hinch began the rumour two days earlier on May 1 when he tweeted: "Could Westpac be about to deep six their swimming ambassador Grant Hackett after recent booze-related incidents at home and at Crown?"

It was reported Grant Hackett and his Foxtel mate Shura Taft were "throwing grapes" at Celebrity Apprentice Lauryn Eagle at their Logies table held in a ballroom at Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne on April 15. However, a witness, told WHO that Hackett was just throwing grapes at Taft.

News of the split comes six months after police were called to the couple's Melbourne home after a domestic dispute in the early hours of October 30th following a "fabulous day" at Flemington's Derby Day. The apartment is believed to have been found in disarray with the couple's 250kg grand piano reportedly upturned.

Admitting at the time they "had a few private issues that we needed to deal with and we've dealt with," the couple refuted speculation their marriage was under pressure:

"Our relationship is great," Hackett told the Nine Network following the domestic disturbance. "There has been speculation about Candice and I and our personal property, which is all fine."

But, "Candice is 100 per cent OK, our apartment is 100 per cent OK and so are our twins," Hackett said. "Everything is Okay, Our relationship is great."