30 August 2023 , 20:17
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EastEnders legend Lucy Benjamin and her husband Richard Taggart have split, according to reports.
The actress who is known for playing the role of Lisa Fowler on the BBC One soap opera met her former husband Richard, an oil businessman while on a flight to Dubai. The couple instantly took a liking to one another and they instantly started dating.
Lucy, 53, and Richard went on to tie the knot on March 30, 2006, at Babington House in Somerset just nine months after they met onboard the flight that changed their lives. But reports now claim that after 17 years, they have decided to go their separate ways after deciding that the best decision for them would be to split.
"Lucy and Richard tried to make it work but ultimately decided it was best they split up," a source told The Sun. The source went on to claim: "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."
Lucy Benjamin and her husband have reportedly split after 17 years (Piers Allardyce/REX/Shutterstock)
The couple became engaged just six weeks after meeting one another on a flight to Dubai (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)While the way the couple met one another may have confused some, Lucy previously admitted that she found it highly amusing when Richard approached her. Speaking about their relationship, Lucy said: "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."
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But their marriage was rapidly arranged with Lucy saying she was "a bit pushy" as she was seven weeks pregnant when they tied the knot. Her pregnancy with her daughter was announced on the first episode of The X Factor: Battle of the Stars on May 31, 2006, by Sharon Osbourne. Seconds after the blunder, Kate Thornton who at the time was hosting the programme painfully smiled as she asked Lucy: "I don't think you wanted that announced tonight, did you?"
Just six months later, Lucy welcomed their first child, Bessie Jo by caesarean section at Harold Wood Hospital on November 22, 2006. Four years later, the actress announced she was three months pregnant before welcoming their second daughter, Rosie in April 2011.
Speaking recently to the Mirror, Lucy offered an insight into life at her family home as she explained one reality show is completely banned. She said: "I've got two daughters, a 12-year-old and a 16-year-old. So Love Island isn’t on in our house. It doesn't sit comfortably with me. It's kids making out on TV and there's kind of this beautiful body image persona. Everyone looks like film stars. I don't think it puts out the right message."
The Mirror has approached Lucy's representatives for comment.