Adam Woodyatt's marriage secretly crumbled a year ago as couple deny cheating
EastEnders' Adam Woodyatt - who has played Ian Beale on the soap since 1985 - split from his wife Beverley Sharp in August 2019 but their separation has stayed secret until now
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EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt's marriage secretly crumbled a whole year ago - but the couple kept their separation under wraps even after he left the family home.
Adam and his wife Beverley Sharp had been married since 1998 and share two grown-up children together - Jessica, 25, and 22-year-old Sam - but he moved out of the marital home several months ago after the pair quietly decided to end their relationship.
Despite the year-long separation, sources say both parties deny cheating in their marriage and it's understood there is no third-party involvement.
The 52-year-old star - who has played Ian Beale on the BBC soap since 1985 - is believed to have initiated the split in August 2019, but remained in the home with his estranged wife up until earlier this year.
"Beverley was naturally very upset, as anybody would be in the circumstances, but these things happen and it’s a straightforward separation," a source told the Sun.
"Nobody plans for these things and divorce is a difficult thing to get your head around but they have dealt with it quietly for several months and are now telling friends so it's less of a secret.
"They still get on well, and are keen to make sure they stay that way for the sake of their children – even though they are now grown up."
In a statement, a spokesman for the star said: "Beverley and Adam separated in August 2019 and we ask that the family's privacy is respected."
Neither Adam, Beverley or their children have publicly commented on the split. Adam's Twitter header photo still shows him cuddling up with his wife at a wedding, alongside their children.
Adam met ex-dancer Beverley after finding fame on EastEnders, and they married at Disney World in Florida in April 1998.
The pair also own their own gin brand, Neat Gin, which they launched together in 2017 and signed a deal with Marco Pierre White to sell in 50 of his restaurants a year later.
"To sign a deal with someone of Marco's calibre is just fantastic. His knowledge of food and flavours is phenomenal. He's given us some great advice," Adam told The People in 2018.
"Beverley and I found a 15th-century recipe and used that as our starting point," he said of the tipple.
He also spoke about how his 'Enders character had helped pay for the couple's lifestyle, despite having reservations about Ian's personality.
"I don't have much affection for Ian, really. Well, apart from the fact he's bought my house," he joked to the Mirror in 2010.
Adam also opened up about the advice he gives younger members of the cast, having seen what happens when the offers start flooding in.
"The nature of fame has changed so much since I was a kid. There weren't all the TV channels, there was no internet, there weren't the celebrity magazines. People have to be sensible," he said at the time.
"Hopefully they'll learn from some of the mistakes others have made and listen when people give them advice."
Adam also confirmed he would never leave the soap until he and the bosses felt it was time.
"As long as I'm enjoying it and as long as they still want me I can't see any reason to leave.
"But all good things come to an end and no one is bigger than the show.
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