Laura Hamilton split from husband after marriage hit breaking point as they were stuck at home together in lockdown

TV presenter Laura Hamilton has split from her husband of ten years — after reaching breaking point while stuck at home together in lockdown.

The 39-year-old host of Channel 4’s A Place In The Sun is used to regular work trips abroad but was grounded amid the Covid pandemic.

Her relationship with insurance broker Alex Goward, 41, then grew strained as the pair spent much more time at home, sources said.

The couple, together for 13 years and with two children, decided to split last summer and have since moved out of their family home.

They are also in the process of selling their nearby café, Lord Roberts on The Green.

A pal told The Sun on Sunday yesterday: “Laura is often away abroad travelling with her work on A Place In The Sun, so the couple weren’t used to spending so much time together under one roof.

“She really wanted to make the marriage work for the sake of the family. She threw her all into saving the relationship, but in lockdown they reached crisis point.

“The pressure of being stuck at home and working under one roof put too much strain on the relationship. It seemed easier in the end just to go their separate ways.

'Lockdown was tough on them'

“Lockdown was tough on them as a couple, like many people in the UK, and they’re just moving forward with their lives. Laura’s friends rallied round her to give her the support she needed and she’s been throwing herself into work.”

Laura, who also appeared on ITV’s Dancing On Ice in 2011 and has been a children’s TV presenter, stopped wearing her wedding ring in July last year.

After being contacted by The Sun on Sunday about the split yesterday, Laura shared the news online. She told followers: “This isn’t something I ever thought I’d be saying but after 13 years of being together Alex and I have separated. Our children are and always will be our number one priority.”

She included a quote from children’s author Dr. Seuss reading: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Last week, she posted a cryptic Instagram story of a small bonfire with the caption: “Getting rid of 15 years of paperwork.”

She opened up last year about date nights with Alex at their home in Purley, Surrey.

Our children are and always will be our number one priority.

Laura Hamilton

She said: “Our business PA lives in a little house in our garden, so she babysat for us on a Wednesday night so we could go for a 10k bike ride. We also have a firepit in the garden so I like sitting around that.”

Last summer, she took a break from social media.

She said: “It felt like it made a big difference. I’ve been reading more, I’ve started listening to audiobooks and I’ve been using my time in different ways.”