Nathan Buckley responds to rumours of break-up with Alex Pike

Rumours are swirling that former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and his glamorous partner Alex Pike have parted ways.

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has addressed rumours he and Alex Pike have reportedly split up.

The couple started dating early last year, just a few months after Buckley announced his separation with wife of 18 years Tania Minnici.

Buckley and Pike, a cosmetics nurse from Melbourne, were first spotted in public together in May last year going for a stroll around the Victorian capital.

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But on Sunday, the Herald Sun reported the glamour couple were believed to have separated.

“My view is that it’s none of anyone’s business,” Buckley told the Herald Sun when asked about his relationship status.

“Alex is an amazing person, a successful businesswoman and a great mother. Neither her, nor I are defined by our romantic connections.”

Pike, a mother of three, was signed to a modelling agency as a 12-year-old after taking part in a Dolly Cover Girl competition and originally planned to study journalism.

But the daughter of a pharmacist father and nurse mother opted to study nursing and ended up starting her career in a plastic surgery ward.

She has three sons: Spencer, Hudson and Jim.

Alex Pike and Nathan Buckley. Pic: Instagram

Nathan Buckley girlfriend Alex Pike. Source: Instagram

Buckley and I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here Australia co-star Maria Thattil were spotted at the Piper Heidsieck pop-up champagne bar at Melbourne Park last week, with the duo later gushing over each other on social media.

“Getting to know Maria was like realising that with people like her in the world we are going to be OK,” Buckley wrote on Instagram.

“Miss Universe Australia and I’m a Celebrity are just a few small steps on a much bigger journey for this beauty … inside and out.”

Thattil responded: “You bloody beautiful human. I love you. These words are generous, kind, uplifting and I’m so privileged to call you a friend.”

Maria Thattil and Nathan Buckley in the Piper-Heidsieck champagne bar Melbourne Park in Melbourne. Picture: FIONA HAMILTON/TENNIS AUSTRALIA

In June last year, Buckley stepped down as coach of Collingwood after nearly 10 years in the role.

The 49-year-old had coached the side since succeeding Mick Malthouse in 2012, with the Magpies winning 117 games under his guidance with a 54 per cent winning record.

News of Buckley’s marriage breakdown came as a huge shock to the AFL world, with the Magpies icon and Minnici establishing themselves as one of footy’s golden couples during his playing days with Collingwood.

“It has been a tough and challenging year for every family and for ours included,” the couple’s joint statement said in late 2020.

“It is with the utmost love and respect for each other and a true commitment to our sons, that we have made a decision to separate in January.

“We remain dedicated parents and in the interests of our boys, we ask for our family to be given the privacy that is needed.

“We thank everyone in advance for understanding our request and for the unconditional love and support we have received throughout our marriage.”

Originally published as Nathan Buckley responds to rumours of break-up with Alex Pike