Soap stars to separate

EastEnders' Perry Fenwick has split from his actress wife after...

11:26 11 February 2010

EastEnders star Perry Fenwick has split from his wife Angela Lonsdale.

Following "a series of heart-to-hearts", Fenwick, best known as his screen alter-ego the hapless Billy Mitchell, and his actress wife decided to separate after several years together.

A spokesman for the couple confirmed the break up in a statement, which read: "Perry Fenwick and Angela Lonsdale have sadly separated after five years of marriage. They will not be making any further comment."

Sources said to be friends of the couple told how they had "just ran out of love" for each other and that no third party was involved in the break up.

An insider told the Mirror: "They are determined to stay friends. It's sad but they are trying to stay positive and their families are rallying around."

Fenwick first appeared in EastEnders back in 1999 and his character's misfortunate personal and professional life has made Billy one of the soap's best loved personalities.    

His wife, Lonsdale, is best known for her time in Coronation Street when she played Curly Watts' partner, police officer Emma Taylor from 2000.

In 2003 she decided to leave the ITV soap and became a regular on 'The Bill'. The actress has also appeared in the BBC show 'Doctors'.