Why BBC golden couple Adrian Chiles and Jane Garvey have REALLY broken up

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Like many professional women, radio host Jane Garvey scaled back her blossoming career to spend more time with her family.

Her husband, Adrian Chiles, meanwhile, forged ahead with his TV career, taking on more and more work.

But yesterday, the BBC presenter couple - who have long been regarded as having one of the most stable relationships in showbusiness - revealed they have split after ten years of marriage.

Adrian Chiles and Jane Garvey pictured at home shortly after the birth of their first daughter Evie eight years ago

Adrian Chiles and Jane Garvey pictured at home shortly after the birth of their first daughter Evie eight years ago

It is understood Mr Chiles's growing career, along with his supposed inability to turn down work, had left him stressed and with less time for his wife and two children.

The One Show host, 41, is believed to have left the couple's £1.35million five-bedroom home in Shepherd's Bush, West London, six weeks ago.

His agents have said no one else is involved.

When the pair married in 1998 in Swansea, Miss Garvey, 44, was the considered to be the better known of the two.

She worked on the Five Live radio station for 13 years, winning several awards, before being named as the new host of Radio 4's Woman's Hour.

But as she scaled back her work commitments to look after the couple's two daughters, Evelyn, known as Evie, eight, and Sian, five, her husband emerged as one of broadcasting's hottest properties.

Earlier this year, Mr Chiles was at the centre of a multi-million pound tug-of-war between the BBC and ITV, which is believed to have offered him a £6million deal to become the face of its football coverage.

Instead Mr Chiles, whose mother is Croatian, opted to stay at the BBC with a £2million, two-year deal.

'Unable to turn down work': Work pressures are thought to have been a reason for the split

'Unable to turn down work': Work pressures are thought to have been a reason for the split

He is also credited with making The One Show, which he presents with Christine Bleakley, a success and has won fans for his The Apprentice: You're Fired coverage.

The presenter, whose broad ' brummie' accent has endeared him to millions, also fronts daytime business show Working Lunch and Match of the Day 2.

In the past, colleagues have admitted that Mr Chiles's hectic workload has been caused because he is unable to turn down work.

Speaking some months ago, Bob Shennan, his former controller at Five Live, said: 'He likes working, but he also feels he needs to say "yes" to everything.

'I think that has caused some people, not least his wife, some exasperation.'


Earlier this year, Miss Garvey claimed her husband's recent success had convinced her to move over to Radio 4 because it was a much less demanding role.

She said: 'Adrian is a very successful television presenter and it makes no sense for me to demand to work five or six days a week.'

'I now have the best part time job in the world - it's interesting, challenging and means I can pick the kids up from school.'

When asked if he had split with Miss Garvey, Mr Chiles said: 'Yes. I just haven't got anymore to say than the statement.'

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