Jermain Defoe, the former West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland striker, is the 10th-highest goalscorer in Premier League history. Off the pitch, the East London forward is also known for a catalogue of high-profile relationships and the occasional scandal.
Defoe turned 44 last week. His dating history includes beauty queens, models, pop stars and a team-mate's sister, with plenty of controversy along the way.
Beckham's Sister and a Model Fiancée
Defoe is believed to have dated David Beckham's younger sister, Joanne, between 2001 and 2003. The Mirror reported on their "on-off" relationship in 2016. After they reportedly first met in Essex, Defoe supposedly called time on the romance to focus on his career.
In 2006, he began dating model Charlotte Mears, splashing out £63,000 on an engagement ring. However, Mears, who appeared on ITV's WAG's Boutique, was dumped by Defoe in November 2007.
Models, Reality Stars and Pop Stars
Defoe then turned his attention to glamour model Danielle Lloyd, a former Miss England and Miss Great Britain who had posed nude for Playboy and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother. She dumped Defoe over allegations he cheated with single mum Stephanie Moule. Speaking to the Daily Star at the time, Danielle said: "Yes, it's true. I've told Jermain our relationship is over. If you want to know the reason, you'd better ask him."
From July to October 2009, Defoe was in a relationship with reality TV star Imogen Thomas, a former Miss Wales. Imogen, famous for her affair with Ryan Giggs, said: "He wasn't cheating. We were together every day so I don't see how he could possibly have been. There were no signs. I like to stay in a lot, watch DVDs, make dinner and chill out."
Defoe then had a four-month fling with Celebrity Big Brother winner Chantelle Houghton. Before they split, Defoe said: "I just don't understand what I've done wrong. I'm a good Catholic boy. I go to church. I don't deserve this love rat tag. It's all a load of rubbish - and it's doing my head in."
He later dated X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke. According to The Mirror, Burke ended the relationship in May 2012 after Defoe was allegedly caught having an affair with another model, Laura Brown. He was then linked to Topshop heiress Chloe Green after they were spotted cosying up in London.
Paternity Test and Marriage
In 2013, Defoe had a brief relationship with Anne-Marie Moore, who gave birth to a son in February 2013. A paternity test revealed Defoe was not the father. A spokesman said: "Following a paternity test, Jermain Defoe has confirmed that he is not the father of the baby."
Defoe married Scottish beauty therapist Donna Tierney in 2022, during his stint at Rangers. The pair met after Defoe 'liked' her snaps on social media, then met at a charity event. They married in a lavish £200,000 ceremony at Cliveden House in June 2022, with 250 guests including Ledley King and Carlton Cole. Six months later, they separated, with Donna claiming he cheated after allegedly finding a love note. Defoe denied any wrongdoing.
Recent Relationships
Weeks after the collapse of his marriage in January 2023, Defoe hooked up with personal shopper Alisha LeMay. He was then snapped smooching wedding planner Paige Mallabourn-Edmondson outside the Northcote Hotel in Lancashire. "Forgive, forget, love, help, care, smile," Alisha said on social media.
Defoe and Alisha reportedly split in February this year. In the summer, he was said to have hooked up with recruiter Farran Tomlin, 11 years his junior, after they were spotted in the British Airways First Class lounge at Heathrow before a trip to Bodrum, Turkey. Their relationship quietly fizzled out. In July, Defoe was spotted kissing new partner Nadine Rider during a Mayfair lunch date.
