Dave Gardner has a face you might recognize but probably can’t figure out why.
Since 2001, the perpetually youthful soccer agent has been a staple in the background of celebrity photos – head down while the paparazzi jostle for pictures of his famous pals.
But despite his reserved public appearance, the 38-year-old has held a central position in two of London’s most important social circles for more than a decade; He is David Beckham’s best friend and also a key member of Kate Moss’ Primrose Hill squad.
Who is this man and how did he become one of London’s most connected men?
Dave Gardner with David Beckham and Mazdack Rassi at the launch of Beckham’s Haig Whisky
It all started at the tender age of 14 when Dave joined the Manchester United youth team.
Although the signing only lasted five years, it was to have a lasting impact on both his professional and love life.
At Manchester United, Dave became close friends with Ryan Giggs and also young David Beckham.
Gardner and Beckham were both promising athletes who spent every night on the soccer field and quickly became best friends.
But while Beckham joined Giggs as one of the best players of his generation, Gardner struggled to keep up and left the club in his late teens.
His time at the club was not wasted though – shortly after leaving Dave founded Elite Sports Agency with Six Alex Ferguson’s son Jason.
Dave with James Corden at a magazine party in 2013
The couple’s contacts saw them soon becoming two of football’s biggest agents in the Premier League.
After a few years, Dave decided to start his own business, which is still going strong today.
Though the pair no longer train together, Dave’s friendship with Beckham has endured and he’s one of two old friends the superstar credits for keeping him down to earth.
He is the godfather of David’s eldest son, Brooklyn.
In 2014, he was one of the friends the star invited to Brazil for a “find yourself” vacation.
However, it was his friendship with Ryan Giggs that has shaped much of his personal life over the past decade.
In Dave’s early twenties, Ryan dated his sister Emma, whom he then left for Hollyoaks actress Davinia Taylor.
Dave Gardner with ex-girlfriend Rita Ora and Harry Styles at a party in February 2013
At the time, Dave was in a long-term relationship with model Stacey Cooke and the pair were an integral part of the Manchester social scene. But the relationship ended abruptly after Stacey left him for Ryan.
A heartbroken Dave and Davinia – who is also heir to a multi-million pound loo roll empire – found solace in each other’s company and it ended up being a well-made couple when the couple eventually married in 2003.
Beckham was best man at the £875,000 wedding, while Atomic Kitten singer Jenny Frost was a bridesmaid.
Over the next few years, the couple were key figures in the famous Notting Hill set – a group of well-known British stars including Sadie Frost, Jude Law, Meg Matthews, Sienna Miller and Rhys Ifans centered around Kate Moss.
In 2007, Davinia gave birth to their child together – a son named Gray – and Kate Moss and David Beckham were named godparents.
For a time it seemed the couple had it all together, with Dave showering his wife with expensive gifts and the couple regularly taking groups of friends on holiday to Davinia’s father’s yacht in the Mediterranean.
Dave Gardner and Kate Moss – the supermodel introduced him to his girlfriend Liv Tyler
But gradually, Davinia’s struggles with alcohol and bipolar disorder proved too difficult and cracks in the relationship began to emerge – he was reportedly often left at home to look after the child.
The couple divorced in 2010, with Dave citing Davinia’s “unreasonable behavior” as the reason for the split, and he was given custody of their three-year-old son.
The couple sold their Supernova Heights home to comedian David Walliams for £3million.
For a while, Dave made very little appearances in showbiz and was reluctant to return to the dating scene.
A short-lived romance with Stephanie Dorrance, the ex-wife of Campbell’s soup business heir, reportedly ended because he felt she was being too quick with her money.
Then, in early 2013, Dave made headlines again after it was revealed he was in a relationship with pop star Rita Ora, 15 years his junior.
The couple have been spotted on numerous dates and Rita was pictured walking the Walk of Shame from his home in London early one morning wearing the same outfit she wore the night before.
But the relationship was once again short-lived and Rita moved on to her now-ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris, while Dave reportedly had a brief relationship with Kelly Brook.
It wasn’t until mid-July 2014 that the first rumors surfaced about his romance with Liv Tyler – the Hollywood actress and daughter of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.
Liv is no stranger to the British Isles – her former husband and father of her first child is Leeds-born Royston Langdon of the band Spacehog.
It was reported that Kate Moss conspired to bring the pair together after being convinced they would hit it off.
A source told The Sun newspaper at the time: “That’s the real deal. Dave and Liv are madly in love.
“They have a child the same age, which is ideal. They are at a similar point in their lives and are ready to settle down with the right person.’
The supermodel was right – they were engaged the following year and had a seven-year relationship.
Liv and Dave had two children, Sailor and Lula, and settled in the Cotswolds.