EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin looks sombre as she’s spotted without her wedding ring for the first time after split from husband of 17 years Richard Taggart
EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin looks downbeat as she is seen without her wedding ring for the first time after split from 17-year-old husband Richard Taggart
Lucy Benjamin was spotted without a wedding ring for the first time on September 14.
The EastEnders star, 53, looked glum while out in Essex just two weeks after her split from husband Richard Taggart was reported after 17 years of marriage.
The actress’ wedding ring was noticeably absent from her ring finger as she picked up groceries at a supermarket, looking low-key.
Lucy – who is best known for her role as Lisa Fowler in EastEnders – stepped out in white wide-leg trousers and a black T-shirt, which she teamed with Crocs and a Chanel crossbody bag.
The soap actress and her partner, who share two children, reportedly split at the end of August, with insiders citing that their relationship had eventually ‘run its course’.
Dejected: Lucy Benjamin, 53, looked glum when she was first spotted without a wedding ring on September 14. Two weeks after her divorce from Richard Taggart was reported
Casual: The EastEnders star picked up groceries from a supermarket and wore a low-key look
Single: Lucy’s wedding ring was conspicuously absent from her ring finger
The couple share two daughters Bessie, 16, and Rosie, 12, and are apparently making their children their first priority in the breakup.
A source said The sun: ‘Lucy and Richard tried to make it work, but ultimately decided it was best to part ways.
‘It has been tough for both of them over the past few months, but hopefully they can now look ahead to the future. Their children will always be their first priority.”
MailOnline contacted representatives for comment at the time.
Lucy and Richard met on a flight to Dubai and struck up a conversation when he introduced himself to her after recognizing her from television.
Of their first meeting, Lucy previously said: ‘He was sitting next to me and as I was reading a book he tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘This must be strange for you because I know a lot about you and you know not. I don’t know anything about me, but my name is Richard and I’m going to Dubai.”
‘Luckily I thought it was very funny and we kept chatting. Within six weeks we were engaged – and married within nine months.”
Lucy was seven weeks pregnant with their first child when they tied the knot. She said, “I was a little pushy, but you gotta get on with it.”
About: The star and her partner, who share two children, reportedly split at the end of August, with insiders citing that their marriage eventually ‘ran its course’ (pictured in 2009)
Lucy’s ex-boyfriends include her former co-star Steve McFadden, whose character she shot during her soap exit in 2003 after playing the character for four years.
During a break from EastEnders, Lucy appeared in the series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! from 2009, but was the first to be voted out.
She has also had roles in Casualty, Holby City and New Tricks.