Melinda Messenger Speaks About Trial Separation

Stunning television personality and mother-of-three Melinda Messenger has spoken for the first time about her trial separation from her husband of nine years and the "rows and fights" which finally led to their heartbreaking decision.

Melinda, 37, said, "We needed to separate to work out and be clear if staying married is the right thing to be doing for both of us. We need this time apart to be able to see clearly what we have in our relationship, and to see why we are together. It’s confusing and difficult but it’s necessary."

"It was my decision and it took a very long time to reach. Things weren’t right between us and hadn’t been for a long time. On the surface it all seemed fine but I felt we’d lost a deep connection that I believe a couple absolutely have to have to be together. I know people will be wondering if anyone else is involved."


"There is no one else on either side. This isn’t about anyone else. It’s about us. It has been building for a number of years and we’ve had our issues to deal with and work through, which we’ve done. But we were left with a very different kind of a relationship."

The couple who have three children, broke their silence because they claim "it’s the only way to set the record straight."

The couple took the unusual decision to be photographed together by Hello! and talk in depth and emotionally together about their marriage split.

“I sat the children down and explained that Mummy and Daddy are having a rest from each other. I didn’t make it all emotional. Any crying was done in private. I don’t want the kids to see tears or drama. I just want them to see it as an adjustment," she added.

"I explained we’d still operate fully as a family. Daddy would be going to work in Swindon and he’d be home at the weekends and at times during the week. “They have been fine. There have been the occasional moments where one of them will ask for Daddy and I feel myself crumbling thinking, ‘I can’t do this.’ But I have to hold on to the bigger picture, which is that in the long term it’s best for all of us."

"There weren’t really any major problems, just silly things that most couples argue about, like, ‘Why haven’t you put petrol in the car?’, the builders being in and things going wrong… Getting overtired, which is so easy to do, both busy with the family and working… Things like that and a constant feeling of not being close to each other."

Read the full story in Hello! on sale now.