Xuenou > Celebrity > EastEnders icon ‘splits’ from husband after 17 years following ‘rough few months’
EastEnders icon ‘splits’ from husband after 17 years following ‘rough few months’
EastEnders icon 'splits' from husband after 17 years following 'rough few months',EastEnders Lisa Fowler actress Lucy Benjamin and her husband Richard Taggart have reportedly called an end to their marriage of 17 years after meeting on a flight to Dubai

EastEnders icon ‘splits’ from husband after 17 years following ‘rough few months’

EastEnders actress Lucy Benjamin has reportedly split from her husband Richard Taggart after 17 years.

The couple are said to have called it quits on their relationship after a "rough few months".

They are parents to two daughters Bessie, 16 and 12-year-old Rosie.

READ MORE: EastEnders Fatboy return sends fans into meltdown as viewers beg for permanent stint

A source told The Sun: “Lucy and Richard tried to make it work but ultimately decided it was best they split up.

“It’s been rough for them both in recent months but hopefully they can now start looking forward to the future.

Lucy Benjamin
EastEnders actress Lucy Benjamin has reportedly split from her husband Richard Taggart after 17 years (Image: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Read More
Related Articles

<

ul>

  • EastEnders Bobby Beale downward spiral fears as concerned fans spot 'worrying' signs
    copyright unknown

    EastEnders fans remember clue that ‘proved’ Fatboy is alive months before cameo
    Lucy Benjamin

    Lucy and Richard met on a flight to Dubai (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

    "Fortunately, I found it very funny and we didn’t stop chatting. We were engaged within six weeks — and married within nine months."

    They rushed to tie the knot because Lucy said at the time she was "a bit pushy" and "you've got to get on with it".

    Daily Star has reached out to Lucy's representatives for a comment.

    Lucy joined the cast of EastEnders back in 1998 as "home-wrecking blonde" Lisa Shaw.

    Lucy Benjamin
    Lucy joined the cast of EastEnders back in 1998 as "home-wrecking blonde" Lisa Shaw (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

    Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here

    Her volatile relationship with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) became part of some of the soap's gripping storylines.

    An estimated 22 million viewers tuned in to watch Lisa confess to Phil's attempted murder in 2001 after an unknown assailant gunned him down, causing the third-largest power surge on record.

    Other storylines included Lisa's pregnancy with Phil's child, in which she opted not to tell him and claimed that her partner Mark Fowler (Todd Carty), was the father.

    Like what you see? Then fill your boots…

    There's MUCH more where that came from! Want all the jaw-dropping stories from the world of showbiz and up to the minute news from TV and soaps?

    Well, we've got you covered with our showbiz, TV and soaps newsletters – they'll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.

    We'll bring you the inside track from telly expert Ed Gleave and soap specialist Sasha Morris. Oh, and your daily fix of Piers, Katie Price, Demi Rose and all your other Daily Star favs.

    You can sign up here – you won't regret it…

    A fiery romantic relationship on screen with Phil led to an off-screen love story between Lucy and actor Steve McFadden.

    The co-stars dated for four years between 1999 and 2003 and the pair went on to work together several times as Lucy made a return to EastEnders in 2010, 2017, between 2019 and 2020 and again in 2023.

    In 2016, Lucy told the Mirror doesn’t allow her daughters to watch EastEnders because it’s too depressing.

    The actress said at the time feels the heavy storylines would be too much for Bessie, and Rosie, to handle.

    EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm

    For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here