DIVERSITY star Ashley Banjo has opened up about his ‘dad guilt’ over the Christmas period – and how he manages his busy work schedule with fitting in quality time with his loved ones.
Dancer and choreographer Ashley, 36, split up with his childhood sweetheart, professional dancer and talent manager Francesca, in 2022 after 16 years.
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The Dancing On Ice star told The Sun exclusively about his festive plans and how he navigates work with co-parenting their children Rose, four, and Micah, three.
He explained: “We only get Christmas Day and New Year’s day off generally, so it’s become a bit of a tradition for us to literally perform, come back from wherever we’re doing, spend the day with the kids and the family and stuff, and then shoot back to work.
“It’s a real catch 22 because we love what we do.
“I said to someone the other day that I don’t take for granted doing pantomimes and doing shows because we get to spend the months on stage, a couple of times a day, doing what we love, doing what we’re good at – entertaining crowds.
“It was obviously our passion first. I’ve been in the group with some of the boys for 25 years. I look around and think, my God, we’re still doing this to sold out audiences of thousands at a time.”
Although he loves his job, the proud dad would love some more R&R over the festive season.
He continued: “We perform more in that panto season than some people do in their whole life.
“I don’t take that for granted and I will miss it if it’s ever not there. But at the same time, I also go, oh my God, I wish that I could just have two weeks of going to the Christmas markets and going around and spending time.”
He explained: “So you pay the bills, you provide, you do what you love, you’ve got a family, but I just think that dads in general (and mums) that there is a thing with dads where you have to make choices more so, and you have to make sacrifices – and you have to decide where you want to be.
“Sometimes being there doesn’t always mean directly being there in the room. Sometimes you’ve got a job to do. So it’s a catch 22, isn’t it? That guilt. But as much as I can be there, I am absolutely.”
Ashley and his ex wife got engaged back in 2014 and married a year later.
Taking to Instagram to announce the split, Ashley explained at the time: “After much thought and consideration we both feel now is the time to share some personal news.
“Nearly 18 months ago we took the decision to separate.
“After being together for over 16 years, since we were teenagers, this is not a decision that has been taken lightly.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“We have always been private with our personal lives, so we kindly ask that everyone please continue to respect that privacy.
“We won’t be making any further comment on the situation. Thank you, lots of love, Ash and Chess x.”
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