Fearne Cotton spoke of how ‘rough patch’ with husband Jesse Wood saw them ‘clinging onto their marriage’ in unearthed interview – as presenter announces split

Fearne Cotton previously spoke in an unearthed interview about how a ‘difficult period’ with her husband Jesse Wood left them desperately ‘clinging to their marriage’.

On Friday evening, the presenter shocked fans by announcing that she was married to Jesse after ten years.

She took to her Instagram Stories to issue the statement, telling fans that their children are a priority.

The couple are parents to son Rex, 11, and eight-year-old daughter Honey, while Fearne is also stepmum to Jesse’s children Arthur, 21, and Lola, 18, from his first marriage.

Fearne wrote: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage. Our priority is and remains our children. We ask that you please respect our family’s privacy at this time.”

But it seems the cracks became visible in 2019, when the presenter lifted the lid on how their marriage was ‘suffering’.

She admitted that her marriage had become more difficult due to Jesse’s busy schedule, which led to the pair having a screaming argument in the park.

The presenter candidly told readers in her column Red magazine: “Love takes hard work – and no one wants to hear that.”

She continued, “This year Jesse and I hit a rough patch: he was away and touring relentlessly, [with his band, Reef].

“I was trying to keep my own career going while caring for our children, and we were both desperately clinging to our marriage.”

The couple’s problems eventually came to a head with a two-hour “shouting match” during which they worried that their “love was gone.”

After the lengthy argument, which took place in a local park, the pair broke down in tears, but the former Top Of The Pops presenter credited her husband’s emotional side for being so honest with each other.

She added, “In the midst of this huge argument, I think we were both wondering where the love had gone and worried that it might not come back.”

News of the split comes just three days after Jesse’s band Reef announced they would be touring again in 2025 for their 30th anniversary.

They will tour the country, starting in Nottingham on October 16 and ending in London on November 8.

Also in 2019, during an appearance on Lorraine, Fearne confessed that despite people thinking her relationship is ‘perfect’, she and her musician husband have had their fair share of bumps along the way.

Speaking about the bad times in her marriage, the broadcaster revealed: ‘I adore and love more than anything. But of course we have arguments.

‘People think we have a perfect life because I live in the public eye. But I have two children and two stepchildren, so it’s a busy life. Of course there will be fights.’

Fearne’s shock split announcement comes just after the Happy Place podcaster underwent surgery to remove two tumors on her jawline.

Jesse, the son of Rolling Stone rocker Ronnie Wood and model Krissy Findlay, has yet to speak out about their divorce.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Fearne and Jesse for comment.

Fearne married the musician, 48, in 2014 in an intimate ceremony in London attended by the likes of Denise Van Outen, Holly Willoughby, McBusted and Keith Lemon.

Before the operation last week, the presenter gave no indication that her marriage was in tatters.

She said, “Hey gang, I’m out for a while due to surgery. I felt a lump under my ear on my jawline a while ago, but this year I noticed it getting bigger.

‘It turns out to be a benign tumor and a small one above it on the salivary gland. I have a positive feeling about it and will take the opportunity to rest and slow down.

‘If you feel a lump or bump or feel like something is wrong, always have it checked. I’m so glad I did because the longer you let these things sit, the more complicated things become.

‘Obviously it’s so strange that Davina told me about her tumor a few months ago and weeks later I called her because she discovered mine. I’m not only lucky that she’s a damn good partner, but also a beacon of light and positivity when it comes to things like this.

“Sending you lots of love and I’ll see you soon.”

She later gave an update: ‘The operation went very well. Recover and rest. Thank you so much for all the kind messages.’

In July, Fearne celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on Instagram by wearing her wedding dress again.

Fearne explained that they were inspired by Victoria and David Beckham, who sent the internet into a frenzy on Wednesday by celebrating their own wedding anniversary by donning their iconic purple outfits at the reception. The presenter joked about the viral snap, writing: ‘If it’s good enough for the Beckhams.

‘It’s also our wedding day. 10 years today. And we’re back in our wedding outfits (not purple) and @jessejameswood can’t find the shoes.

She also shared many more clips from their wedding to her Stories, including a photo of her and Jesse kissing on the dance floor.

She captioned the photo: “Happy 10 years @jessejameswood. I wish we could do it all over again.”

Fearne and Jesse started dating in 2011 after meeting at a party in Ibiza, the year the guitarist split from his first wife Tilly Wood after eight years of marriage.

According to Fearne, their first date consisted of a meal of vodka and cigarettes, and they said they “didn’t eat anything.”

However, their lifestyle has since changed and Jesse is now sober, while the pair went vegan together in 2021.