Ashley Banjo and ex-wife Francesca reunite for a festive Christmas Eve with their two children

Ashley Banjo and ex-wife Francesca have reunited for a fun-filled family Christmas Eve with their two young children meeting Santa and getting into the festive spirit.

The 31-year-old Dancing On Ice judge and Francesca, are childhood sweethearts and have been together for 16 years, married for seven, before announcing this week that they had split 18 months ago.

But they didn’t let their separation stop them from giving little Rose, 3, and Micah, 2, an exciting Christmas Eve at the Marsh Farm Santa Experience.

Sharing with her 110,000 followers on Instagram, Francesca thanked her followers for their ‘love and support’ before wishing them a Merry Christmas.

She posted a short clip of her and Ashley flashing a smile for the camera as the father-of-two holds his children in his arms.

The snapshot was taken just before they headed to Marsh Farm in Essex.

In another clip shared with her Instagram followers, Francesca compiled various snippets from her special family day.

“A little bit of Christmas magic with a visit from the very great man himself ❤️,” she wrote, as Ashley commented on a world and a heart emoji.

The exes received praise in the comments section where fans applauded their ability to co-parent.

One wrote: ‘Absolutely love the co-parenting you are both doing for your children. I am totally in awe because me and my ex’s father/two minor children just can’t do it.

‘We continually disagree and it’s sad for my 2 babies. I praise you both ❤.’

Similarly, another added: ‘Well done co-parenting!’ while a third said: ‘It’s wonderful how you and Ash are still able to stay so close and give your babies the best life possible ❤️ merry Christmas everyone xx ‘

Just the day before Christmas Eve, Ashley and Francesca revealed the news of their split to their combined 1.1 million followers.

The two took to their respective Instagrams on Thursday to announce that they had decided to part ways 18 months ago.

They wrote that their top priority would be co-parenting their two children, Rose, three, and Micah, two.

Ashley and Francesca said: “After much thought and consideration, we both feel that now is the time to share some personal news.

‘Almost 18 months ago we made the difficult decision to separate. After being together for over 16 years, since we were teenagers, this is not a decision that has been made lightly.

‘It has not been easy and the processing of the situation has not been fast, far from it. But we feel that as we approach the new year it is time to share this news with others.

‘Our main focus will always be our beautiful children. Every decision that has been made is to make sure that we can continue as a loving family and do our best as parents.

‘Raising Rose and Micah in a healthy and happy environment is the most important thing to both of us.

“Sometimes after so many years, people just move in different directions, but we do it with love and keep trying to be the best parents we can be and best friends with each other.

We have always been private with our personal lives, so we kindly ask everyone to continue to respect that privacy. We will not comment further on the situation.

They concluded: ‘Thank you… Much love Ash and Chess x’

Francesca last posted Ashley on her Instagram on October 4 to wish her a happy birthday.

She wrote: ‘Happy birthday @ashleybanjogram. We love you more than we could say in a caption.

‘Everything you do, everything you give, and how tirelessly you work for us. Happy Birthday. We love you so much ❤️ xxxx’.

Ashley previously opened up about the couple’s “difficult” journey to conceive and their excitement about becoming a first-time dad during an interview on Lorraine.

Speaking of her 10 excitement over the impending birth, she said: ‘There is no number.

“Honestly, it’s pretty surreal for me to think there’s a little Banjo baby on the way, girl.”

Speaking to The Sun previously, Ashley admitted it was difficult when his busy schedule kept him away from his family.

Describing her life at the time as ‘incredible’ raising children, she said: ‘You always hear the words life-changing when you have children, but you never really know what it’s like until you experience it.