Ex-EastEnders stars Ricky and Hannah separate

Ex-EastEnders star Ricky Groves and his newly-slimline wife Hannah Waterman, have split up.

Ricky, who played unlucky-in-love Garry Hobbs in the soap and starred in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing, was thrilled with his wife's new figure after she shed 3 stone last year.

But according to The Sun, he was devastated on New Year's Day when Hannah, 34, told him her new look had brought her new confidence - and that their three-year marriage was over.

Distraught Ricky then asked her to pack her bags and move out of their home in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The pair last night confirmed the split - but blamed conflicting work schedules.

Ricky is on a Strictly Come Dancing tour and Hannah, who went from 10st 4lb to 7st 10lb in five months, is to tour with Calendar Girls.

A spokesman said: "Ricky Groves and Hannah Waterman have announced today that after much consideration they have decided to formally separate.

"Both their careers have been hugely successful, but for most of last year their work has kept them apart."

Hannah, who played Laura Beale in EastEnders, added: "We would like to remain friends with respect for each other."

The pair got engaged in 2005 while EastEnders co-stars and married the following year.

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