Premier League icon 'posed as milkman to date air hostess' before she remarked 'how dairy'

A Premier League legend allegedly impersonated a milkman when he began a relationship with a striking blonde flight attendant.

A Premier League star is said to have carried on a three-year affair with an air hostess after pretending to be a milkman.

Sylvain Distin allegedly had an affair with an air stewardess after telling porkies about his day job

Sylvain Distin, who turns 48 today (Tuesday, December 16), made over 450 appearances in England’s top division—the highest number for any foreign outfield player. After joining Newcastle United on loan from French giants Paris Saint-Germain in 2001, he transferred to Manchester City for a then club-record fee of £4 million for a defender, where he later became captain and was named the club’s Player of the Year for 2002–03.

He then moved to Portsmouth, winning the FA Cup in 2008 under Harry Redknapp’s memorable side, before spending six years as the defensive anchor at Everton. Interestingly, he never received a call-up to the French national team. However, during his time at Goodison Park, he became involved in a scandal even more surprising than his lack of international caps.

That’s because, for three years, the French defender—who was in a long-term relationship and had a child—allegedly had a secret affair with a beautiful flight attendant, telling her he was a milkman rather than one of the Premier League’s standout players.

Distin reportedly later claimed to be a professional tennis player and a cyclist to conceal his identity. But his alleged lies began to unravel when the air hostess, Katie Hulne, saw a photo of the then £45,000-a-week star in his Everton kit—prompting him to claim it was a picture of his twin brother.

Air hostess Katie Hulne allegedly had an affair with former Everton defender Sylvain Distin

It was reported in 2013 that when his alleged lover finally discovered Distin’s true identity and that he had a partner, the defender claimed he was only staying in his relationship for the sake of his daughter.

A friend of the shocked blonde told a national newspaper at the time: “We told Katie she was being naive. She was devastated. He was quite explicit, which really surprised Katie but also excited her. Maybe now she’ll realize he was acting like so many other footballers—wanting to have his cake and eat it too.”

Distin was said to have wooed the flight attendant, who was four years his senior, with a series of suggestive messages. He also allegedly sent her revealing photos.

The two were reported to have had intimate encounters in cars and even against a tree in the woods. To celebrate her birthday, he once sang a French version of “Happy Birthday Big T*” to her.

The newspaper claimed that Katie first met Distin during a night out near his luxurious home in Hale, Cheshire, in December 2009, after he had been socializing with then-Everton teammates including striker James Beattie and goalkeeper Tim Howard. But it was the 6ft 4in Frenchman who reportedly caught her eye.

Remarkably, he allegedly told her he was a milkman when they exchanged numbers, before they began texting regularly. When she grew suspicious, Distin is said to have posed as a tennis pro and a cyclist to keep his identity under wraps.

The infatuated blonde’s friend shared: “Katie had no idea who he was. He had such a great physique that she thought he must be involved in sports, but she was still puzzled. She was incredibly attracted to him, though it started as just harmless flirting.”

A hotel meeting followed, but they reportedly did not become physically involved at first. However, Distin then began texting her asking for provocative pictures and confessing how much he desired her, leading to another hotel rendezvous for a night of passion.

The friend added: “Katie was really nervous and had dressed up for the occasion. He made the first move to kiss her. Her legs went weak, and they were instantly wrapped up in each other.”

Distin’s cover was allegedly blown when they chatted on BlackBerry Messenger and Katie noticed his profile picture showed him in full Everton kit. He claimed it was his “twin brother.”

Her friend said: “Katie is genuinely sweet and trusted him completely. She said the physical connection was incredible and that he was remarkably ‘gifted.’ He called her sexy and couldn’t get enough of her.”

Even after learning the truth about his football career, they reportedly continued to meet once or twice a month and exchanged explicit messages, except when Distin was on holiday with his family.

Distin was also said to have sent shirtless or nude photos from hotels during away games, showcasing his athletic build—which had earned him the nickname “Cyborg” among teammates.

The newspaper reported that in May 2012, he texted her from Birmingham asking for pictures and saying he “couldn’t wait.” In September of that year, after Everton lost a League Cup match at Leeds despite him scoring, he went straight to see her, still wearing his kit.

Katie’s friend recalled: “They would often meet for intimacy in either his car or hers. Sylvain was cautious—he drove a distinctive Bentley, so he never used that car. He liked intensity, and they even had encounters in the woods near his home, up against a tree.”

Katie had reportedly hoped he would leave his partner based on what Distin had told her about his relationship. But realizing it would never develop into anything more, she ended the affair before the story broke in the national press.

During a later visit to his former club Manchester City, home fans teased the French defender with humorous chants about his supposed side job, singing: “He’s up at half four, he’s up at half four, oh Sylvain Distin, he’s up at half four.”

Similarly, during a pre-season friendly for Everton against Accrington Stanley in the summer of 2013, fans were heard chanting: “Distin is a milkman.”