Ashley Banjo reveals separation from wife Francesca Abbott and says their focus will be on children
Ashley Banjo has revealed that he has split from his wife Francesca Abbott.
The 31-year-old Dancing On Ice judge and Francesca are childhood sweethearts and have been together for 16 years; they got engaged in 2014 and married in 2015.
The two took to their respective Instagrams on Thursday to announce that they had decided to part ways 18 months ago.
Separation: Ashley Banjo has revealed that he has separated from his wife Francesca Abbott
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.
Split: The 31-year-old Dancing On Ice judge and Francesca are childhood sweethearts and have been together for 16 years; They got engaged in 2014 and married in 2015.
‘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.
Statement: The two took to their respective Instagrams on Thursday to announce that they had decided to split 18 months ago.
“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’
Family: They wrote that their top priority would be co-parenting their two children, Rose, three, and Micah, two.
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.
Latest Post: Francesca last posted Ashley on her Instagram on October 4 to wish her a happy birthday.
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.
‘Children are the best thing that has happened to me in life. But oh my gosh, I feel like I experience dad guilt 24/7 if I’m being honest.
“All you want to be is a good parent, and trying to strike the right balance is what has probably been the most challenging for me,” he confessed.
‘Trying to make sure my kids feel like I’m there, but also trying to keep them. It’s knowing that you have to walk out the door.
Francesca is a member of another dance troupe called Out of the Shadow, which Ashley once choreographed.
Ashley once revealed that he took her to the Science Museum in London for their first date in 2005.
He said: “14 years ago I couldn’t drive so I took this girl on a date to the science museum to try and make her laugh and impress her with how much I knew about the nerdiest subjects possible.”
Ashley rose to fame when her dance group, Diversity, won the third series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.
She later became a co-judge on Sky1’s Got To Dance and joined the judging panel of ITV1’s celebrity skating show Dancing On Ice.
Star: Ashley rose to fame when her dance group, Diversity, won the third series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 (pictured)