Ashley Banjo reveals separation from wife Francesca Abbott and says their focus will be on children

Ashley Banjo has revealed he has split from his wife Francesca Abbott.

The Dancing On Ice judge, 31, and Francesca are childhood sweethearts and have been together for 16 years; they got engaged in 2014 and tied the knot in 2015. 

They both took to their respective Instagrams on Thursday to announce they had decided to separate 18 months ago. 

Separation: Ashley Banjo has revealed he has split from his wife Francesca Abbott

They wrote that their main 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 now is the time to share some personal news. 

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

Split: The Dancing On Ice judge, 31, and Francesca are childhood sweethearts and have been together for 16 years; they got engaged in 2014 and tied the knot in 2015

‘It has not been easy and the processing of the situation has not been fast by any means. 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 we can continue as a loving family and give the very best of ourselves as parents. 

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

Statement: They both took to their respective Instagrams on Thursday to announce they had decided to separate 18 months ago

Family: They wrote that their main priority would be co-parenting their two children, Rose, three, and Micah, two

‘Sometimes after so many years people just move in different directions, but we do so lovingly and we continue to try and be both the best parents possible and the best of friends to each other.

‘We have always been private with our personal lives, so we kindly ask that everyone please continue to respect that privacy. We won’t be making any further comment on the situation. 

They concluded: ‘Thank you… Lots of Love Ash and Chess x’

Ashley previously discussed the couple’s ‘tough’ journey to conceive and his excitement at becoming a father first time around during an interview on Lorraine. 

Speaking of his excitement out of 10 at the impending birth, he said: ‘There’s no number.

‘Honestly, it’s already quite surreal for me to think there’s a little baby Banjo on the way, little girl.’

Francesca is a member of another dance troupe called Out of the Shadow. 

Ashley shot to fame when his dance troupe, Diversity, won the third series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.

He later became a co-judge on Sky1’s Got To Dance, and joined the judging panel of ITV1 celebrity skating show Dancing On Ice.

Star: Ashley shot to fame when his dance troupe, Diversity, won the third series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 (pictured)