Former England footballer and BBC Sports Personality of the Year presenter Alex Scott is reportedly considering relocating to America
The couple have been dating since 2023(Image: 2025 Jeff Spicer)
Former footballer Alex Scott, who played at the pinnacle of the sport with Arsenal and England, has carved out an impressive television career for herself since hanging up her boots. Now 41, she’s the face of the BBC’s flagship football programme – Football Focus – and also a regular on The One Show.
During her time on the pitch, she earned 140 caps for England and had stints with Boston Breakers and Birmingham City, in addition to her time with the Gunners. The transition to television was a smooth one for the gifted ex-footballer, whose presenting portfolio also includes this year’s Soccer Aid, where she shared the stage with TV stalwart Dermot O’Leary.
However, her post-playing life hasn’t been without its challenges and downsides, particularly given the increased scrutiny that comes with being in the public eye. While she would have been accustomed to a certain level of fame as a player, her off-field endeavours in recent years have propelled her into the spotlight like never before.
This was underscored by her stint on the latest series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, where she was the first contestant to be voted out of camp. It later emerged that she couldn’t attend the reunion due to a family emergency involving a relative of Jess Glynne – her partner.
Popstar girlfriend
Scott has been in a relationship with singer Glynne since 2023, with the couple making their relationship public in October of that year. They had been dating for two months prior to becoming official.
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Despite voicing her wish to start a family with Glynne and the couple clearly being smitten, Scott has confessed to facing difficulties with displaying physical affection due to her relationship with her father. Father Tony has disputed these allegations.
Alex Scott and Jess Glynne attend the Boss front row during Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026(Image: 2025 Dave Benett)
“We weren’t allowed to express emotion,” Scott said to in June 2024. “Dad didn’t allow us to hug each other or say, ‘I love you.’ It had a huge impact on us all.
“I remember one of the first times Jess hugged me. I was like… {rigid]. She was like, ‘Are you not going to put your arms around me?’ But I didn’t know how to do that.”
Career setback and US relocation
Scott was passed over when the BBC selected their replacements to front Match of the Day following Gary Lineker’s departure from the legendary programme. She had been amongst the frontrunners for the position and had assembled an impressive portfolio in the field by that stage.
Nevertheless, the role was awarded to Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, who now split presenting responsibilities at the BBC. Speculation has also emerged claiming Scott and partner Glynne were contemplating relocating to the United States for a fresh start following reports of her frustration concerning Football Focus.
Alex Scott and Jess Glynne(Image: Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
The Sun claimed that Scott was ‘hurt’ that her Football Focus viewing figures had declined. The former Arsenal star had previously tackled rumours that the programme was faltering in 2023 but stood by it and insisted the statistics remained robust.
A source in 2024 said: “Alex is now seriously contemplating moving on from the show. Last year she was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures – and felt she was thrown under a bus. The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures.”
The insider also disclosed that Scott and Glynne were “contemplating a move to America.” Scott has previously portrayed the US as somewhat of a sanctuary, indicating she enjoyed greater anonymity across the pond. In her 2022 memoir ‘How (Not) To Be Strong’, Scott wrote: “In Boston, I didn’t have to be the strong one. I could just be.”
