Lucy Benjamin has reportedly split from her husband after 17 years of marriage.
Lucy Benjamin has reportedly split from her husband
The 53-year-old actress - who is best known for playing Lisa Fowler on BBC soap opera 'EastEnders' - has been married to businessman Richard Taggart since 2006 and has daughters Bessie, 16, and 12-year-ld Rosie with him but an insider has now alleged that they have been through a "tough time" and decided to call it quits.
A source told The Sun newspaper's TVBIz column: "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.
“Their children will always be their number one priority.”
The couple met when they were seated next to each other on a flight to Dubai and having recognised Lucy from television, Richard made the first move before they enjoyed a whirlwind romance and tied the knot just nine months later.
She said: "He was sat next to me and while 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 don’t know anything about me, but my name’s Richard and I’m going to Dubai’.
“Fortunately, I found it very funny and we didn’t stop chatting. We were engaged within six weeks — and married within nine months!"
By the time of the wedding, Lucy - who away from 'EastEnders' has also appeared in 'Casualty', 'New Tricks' and competed on 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' in 2009 - was already seven weeks pregnant.
She said: "I was a bit pushy but you’ve got to get on with it!"
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