Football star Andy Carroll and his Towie celebrity wife Billi Mucklow are divorcing after two tumultuous years of marriage. The couple, who share three children, quietly separated in July. While 35-year-old Andy has recently joined French club Bordeaux, 36-year-old Billi has stayed at their home in Essex.

Their split comes two years after a scandal during Andy’s stag do, when he was photographed passed out with two women. Friends revealed that the couple filed for divorce earlier this month, having been together for 11 years.

In a statement, Andy, a former England striker known for his time at Newcastle and Liverpool, said, “Billi and I privately separated earlier this year and are currently in the process of divorce. It’s been a challenging few months for our family, but we’re committed to moving forward amicably for our children.”

A source noted that while they care for each other and cherish their memories, they felt it was best for their family to part ways, having grown apart. They remain focused on parenting and aim to keep the process respectful and straightforward. Andy has been immersing himself in football during this time.

The couple got engaged in 2014 and married at the luxurious Four Seasons hotel in Hampshire in June 2022. Their wedding nearly didn’t happen after the stag do incident, which led to Billi temporarily removing her £200,000 engagement ring. However, she forgave Andy after one of the women involved claimed nothing inappropriate occurred.

They have three children aged nine, six, and four, while Andy has two older children, aged 15 and 14, from a previous relationship. Last year, he reflected on the challenges of balancing football and family life, expressing gratitude for his career opportunities but acknowledging the sacrifices involved.

Billi gained fame through her role in “The Only Way Is Essex,” joining during its third series in 2011 before leaving in 2013 to pursue a career as a Bikram Yoga instructor and social media influencer.

Andy has had a controversial public life, with past incidents involving brawls and legal issues, including arrests for assault. He started his professional career with Newcastle United in 2006 and made headlines with a £35 million transfer to Liverpool in 2011, then the record fee for a British player. He earned nine caps for England between 2010 and 2012 and has played for several clubs throughout his career, including a stint with West Ham and more recently Bordeaux.