has spoken about his split from his wife for the first time since announcing the break-up.
The Diversity star and his childhood sweetheart announced last year that after 16 years together.
Ashley, 34, and Francesca Abbott confirmed that they actually made the ‘difficult decision’ to separate 18 months earlier, but kept it private.
The winner shares two children – Rose, four, and Micah, two – with Francesca, and they’ve and often enjoying family outings together.
In a new interview with , Ashley insisted that being the best dad possible is his priority.
‘At the end of the day, for me when it comes to life my children are my priority, and looking after my family and my babies and making sure they’re happy and their lives are good is number one.
‘Now they’re old enough, my children enjoy watching BGT performances on YouTube, they always get up Diversity performances and they want to watch their daddy, which is super cute, and I love watching the old performances with them.’
Of his success with the dance troop, Ashley assured that he has no plans to retire.
‘While people still want to watch the show in its current format, I will keep soldiering on and doing what I love, and I will follow my instincts and my heart when it comes to how long my performance days last, and I’ll just try not to outstay my welcome,’ he said, as he continues touring.
‘It is easy for me to stay in shape because a lot of it is driven by if I don’t when I do full-length shows or tours I’ll find them not only much harder but the quality, especially now I’m getting older, I have to look after myself and keep fit otherwise I just wouldn’t be able to do what I do.
‘My fitness is part of wanting to continually be good at my job and create what I do in Diversity.’
Meanwhile, Ashley has said previously that his ‘beautiful children’ remain his main focus as he navigates a separation while juggling public life and work.
Ashley and his ex, who got together when they were teenagers and married in 2015, sharing a series of happy snaps to Instagram as the foursome went on winter walks and played with their new toys.
However, the Dancing On Ice judge and Francesca – who is also a dancer – have admitted the separation process ‘has not been easy’, nor has it been ‘fast by any means.’
‘It has not been easy and the processing of the situation has not been fast by any means. But we feel that as we approach the new year it is time to share this news with others,’ they wrote in their statement at the end of 2022, confirming the separation.
‘Our main focus will always be our beautiful children. 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.’
The dance star continued: ‘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.’
He concluded by asking for privacy from his followers, vowing not to make further comments.
