GRANT Hackett's estranged wife Candice Alley has been accused of trying to shut down a "tell-all" interview with his employer as the bitter fallout from their marriage break-up deepens.

The Olympic gold medallist's singer wife brought in lawyers to try to stop Hackett appearing on Channel 9's 60 Minutes after learning of the interview last week, friends said. Both sides are understood to have faced off on Thursday over whether the interview could go ahead, with Nine since being closely guarded over what will appear on the show.

A copy of the interview, expected to go to air tonight, is said to have been shown to lawyers for Ms Alley.

"There will be no comment from 60 Minutes," a Nine spokeswoman said yesterday.

The broadcaster has been under pressure for keeping Hackett on its coverage team for the London Olympics following claims of an act of drunken violence after Derby Day last October.

Photographs published in The Sunday Mail showed the aftermath of the incident, in which the 32-year-old allegedly trashed his Melbourne apartment in front of his wife and young twins.

Separately Ms Alley, 29, is understood to have lodged a complaint with police over another incident at a winery in which Hackett was accused of guzzling five bottles of wine in just two hours.

It will be 70 days today since the couple separated on the night of the Logies, when bouncers reportedly told Hackett to "call it a night" at an after-party.

The swimmer has been left shattered after being denied access to his children for the whole period, according to friends.

One friend said he did not excuse Hackett's behaviour but said the apartment incident was "totally out of character".

"There's more to it that will come out. He hasn't had a chance to have his say yet. After he does he'll have a lot more support," the friend said.

"People are wondering if he hit his wife or hurt his kids. I know 1000 per cent he hasn't done that."