Henry's wife granted quickie divorce

The wife of former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has been granted a "quickie" divorce on the grounds of his behaviour.

Claire Merry, 27, a model and mother of their two-year-old daughter Tea, may receive the biggest ever divorce payment by a footballer.

The 30-year-old French striker's fortune is estimated at £25 million. Newspapers are speculating that Ms Merry, also known by her modelling name Nicole Merry, is demanding £10 million.

The decree nisi order was made by a District Judge at the Principal Registry of the High Court's Family Division in central London.

The couple shared a six-bedroom home in Hampstead, north London, which he bought five years ago for £5.95 million.

They met when they starred together in television ads for Renault Clio cars in which Henry used his "va va voom" catchphrase.

Henry announced he was leaving Claire in June, just before his transfer to Spanish club Barcelona, where he is reportedly paid £130,000 a week.

Claire was reported to be unhappy about moving to Barcelona and upset when Henry walked out on their four-year marriage.

Since then he is said to have developed a close friendship with a Spanish actress.

The Henry divorce was one of 34 decrees nisi rubber-stamped by District Judge Malik in just over a minute.

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