The boyfriend of Michael van Gerwen’s ex-wife Daphne Govers admitted that he had known her for some time before her split with the darts star – but the couple confirmed that he had not had a girlfriend at the start of their relationship, after Govers previously admitted that she had made a ‘mistake’ during her split with Van Gerwen.
Govers gave a bombshell interview with new boyfriend Robert to Dutch television after Van Gerwen broke his silence in his own interview with news outlet AD in the wake of their separation in May.
The three-time PDC world champion dubbed 2025 his ‘worst year’, and told the outlet 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’.
But Van Gerwen could yet find himself mired in details of the separation again, after Robert confirmed 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.’
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.’
In London, Van Gerwen is continuing his travails at this year’s World Darts Championship, having booked himself a spot in the fourth round after a routine 4-1 win against Arno Merk.
He will now play Gary Anderson, and Van Gerwen was typically bullish about his chances.
‘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.’
