London
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Denise Van Outen and Lee Mead have called time on their marriage after four years together.
After months of speculation surrounding their relationship, the couple have confirmed they have parted ways - but the welfare of their three-year-old daughter Betsy remains their ‘number one priority.
In a statement given to MailOnline, Denise’s spokesperson said: ‘Denise Van Outen and Lee Mead are sad to confirm they have decided to separate. ‘The couple remains the best of friends, with their daughter Betsy as their number one priority. The family ask for privacy at this time.’
The couple, who have been dogged by rumours of marital trouble for months, split shortly after Lee returned home from the US in May and the actor has moved out of their London home, according to The Sun on Sunday.
Denise and Lee were last pictured together just last weekend when they attended Tickety Toc launch at Hamleys toy store with little Betsy on July 21. Smiling happily for the cameras, the trio looked every inch the picture perfect family, not displaying a hint of their apparent marital problems.
In the past few months, the pair has rarely been seen together thanks to their difficult work schedules and it’s this separation which was the catalyst for the split, according to reports.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘They’re going their separate ways. It’s very sad but they have grown apart. ‘They hardly saw each other over the last nine months because of their work commitments. The distance just became too difficult to overcome. They have grown apart - and fallen out of love.’
Denise and Lee met in 2007 when he was a contestant on the BBC show Any Dream Will Do. The Essex girl was a judge on the show, which Lee went on to win, and the pair later revealed their relationship.
The couple wed in an intimate ceremony in the Seychelles in 2009, with just 12 guests present. Shortly after their wedding the pair revealed they were expecting their first child together.