Marriage over after seven years

Johnny Vegas has split from his wife of seven years, Maia Dunphy, the couple have revealed.

The pair – who have a two-year-old son, Tom, broke the news on Twitter.

In a post on Dunphy’s account, shared by Vegas, they said: 'It is with a heavy heart that we want to let you know that we separated some time ago last year.  

'We are telling people now because speculation is unhelpful at best, and dangerous at worst.

'As we think is obvious, we continue to fully support each other; there is no acrimony, no story and no one else involved.’

 'We have never played out our relationship publicly, so we don't feel it's too much to ask for privacy now.  We also ask people to be mindful that there are two children involved, and their welfare is our main concern now. Thank you. X.’

Johnny, 46, real name Michael Pennington, and Maia have a son, Tom Laurence, who is two years old. 

The comedian also has a son called Michael, 14, from a previous relationship. 

The pair married in Seville in 2011, but struggled with a long-term relationship with Vegas based in London and Dunphy in Dublin.

In a recent interview with the Irish Independent, Dunphy, an author, said: ‘ It is very hard. I am effectively a single mum, most of the time. I can't even take the bins out without bringing Tom with me because I wouldn't leave him six floors up on his own.’

But she said they had hoped to settle down together soon, adding: ‘I hope the plan would be that when Michael finishes school, Johnny would be based over here more. The thing is, he will always travel for work.

‘There are days when I am so tired and I envy women who are giving out about their husbands coming home late at 7pm. I just think, "Oh, you're so lucky.:’

But she added: ‘It was my choice. It is not as if I married Johnny and we had a conventional set-up and he just pissed off.’

Published: 14 May 2018