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Man Utd icon married Playboy model who asked 'how famous are you' during date

Peter Schmeichel was trying to conceal his identity from the public when he met Laura von Lindholm for their first date in London - who didn't know how famous he was

[Former Danish goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel (L) and Laura von Lindholm arrive on the Green Carpet ahead of The Best FIFA Football Awards - Show at the Royal Festival Hall on September 24, 2018 in London, England]

Laura von Lindholm is a former Playboy model(Image: Getty Images)

Laura von Lindholm almost didn't recognise the rather tall blond man she had agreed to meet with when he turned up for their date.

Laura, a Playboy model turned nutritionist, didn't realise Peter Schmeichel, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, was a footballer - and was stunned at his fame when they met in London.

I met Laura when I was making changes in my life, he told Desert Island Discs. I fell in love and we had a little getaway in London and I didn't want the public to know that I was in a new relationship.

"I wanted to keep a low profile so I was wearing a scarf and a hat and everything. And Laura's looking at me and she's saying, How famous are you?

"Laura didn't know anything about football and shes kind of ridiculing me a little bit.

[Laura von Lindholm]

Laura von Lindholm wasn't a football fan(Image: https://www.instagram.com/lvonl/?hl=en)

However, she would soon learn his the scale of his fame once he was recognised: And then we go to the Champions League final in Milan and this little guy comes up to me.

"I've never met him in my life, but I know it's Phil Collins. I never met him but he's a big Man Utd fan And Laura is next to me and she's completely, I mean she's completely, gobsmacked."

However, it wasn't plain sailing for his second serious relationship either, as he and Laura broke up in 2017 before rekindling and swiftly deciding to tie the knot, getting married later in 2019.

[Laura von Lindholm]

Laura von Lindholm is wed to Peter Schmeichel (Image: https://www.instagram.com/lvonl/?hl=en)

It took place in front of 200 guests at the Egebaeksvang Church in Espergaerde, Copenhagen. And it was the former shot-stopper's second marriage.

Schmeichel met his first wife Bente when they were just teenagers; they married young and went on to have two children together - daughter Cecile and son Kasper.

However, they would split in 2013: "After 31 years of living together, I am sorry to have to inform you that Bente and I'm in the process of separation negotiations.

"It has been a very difficult decision, but in the circumstances we feel good.

"We agree that our family has the highest priority, and we hope that the media will respect our privacy, and that we have no further comment."

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