Ashley and Francesca’s children remain their top priority after splitting (Picture: Instagram)
Diversity leader Ashley Banjo expertly shut down a troll who seemed to take offence at his birthday message to his ex-wife Francesca Abbott.
The Dancing On Ice judge, 34, and his childhood sweetheart shared in December 2022 that they had parted ways after 16 years together, confirming that they actually made the ‘difficult decision’ to separate 18 months ago but kept it private.
Ashley, 31, shares two children – Rose, four, and Micah, two – with Francesca, and has continued to co-parent his little ones, and they recently enjoyed a family day out to London.
When Francesca celebrated her 36th birthday with an obligatory Instagram post Ashley wrote underneath it: ‘Happy Birthday dude.’
Many weren’t aware of the inside joke between the former couple after one claimed ‘dude’ was a tad inappropriate.
Explaining his choice of words, Ashley replied: ‘For those of you who wish to comment in outrage. This is what we’ve called each other for over a decade and a half. But your input is very much appreciated.’
Ashley was quick to silence the haters (Picture: Instagram)
Francesca also backed up Ashley’s comment saying: ‘Shut down lol. He’s right though… we really have.’
And that’s that!
Ashley and his ex, who got together when they were teenagers and married in 2015, said when they split that their ‘beautiful children’ were their main priority.
They have since celebrated Christmas together, sharing a series of happy snaps to Instagram as the foursome went on winter walks and played with their new toys.
Ashley and Francesca – who is also a dancer – have admitted the separation process ‘has not been easy’, nor has it been ‘fast by any means’ (Picture: Instagram)
Ashley and Francesca – who is also a dancer – have admitted the separation process ‘has not been easy’, nor has it been ‘fast by any means.’
However, ahead of entering 2023, the former couple felt it was the right time to let the world know.
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Assuring that they will remain ‘the best of friends to each other’, the pair added in a statement in December: ‘Every decision that has been made is to make sure we can continue as a loving family and give the very best of ourselves as parents.
‘Raising Rose and Micah in a healthy and happy environment is the most important thing to both of us.
‘Sometimes after so many years people just move in different directions, but we do so lovingly and we continue to try and be both the best parents possible and the best of friends to each other.’
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‘Your input is very much appreciated.’