Ainsley Harriott opens up about what triggered his marriage break-up - saying 'it was certainly difficult'

Ainsley Harriott has opened up about how his status as a "national treasure" may have contributed to the end of his marriage. The 67 year old TV chef, who split from his wife Clare Fellows in 2012 after 23 years together, believes his public persona played a part in their separation.

Speaking on Rylan Clark's 'How to Be in the Spotlight' podcast, Ainsley opened up about his experience being a 'national treasure' and revealed that people still come up to him holding a tomato and red pepper in reference to his time starring on Ready Steady Cook.

"It's other people who put you in that category, you don't put yourself in there. You're not someone who brings negativity, you're someone who brings a smile," the This Morning star said.

Despite talking about the positives of being in the public eye, he admitted that this level of public attention can be hard on partners. "I think it's difficult for partners. It was certainly difficult for my ex and I think that probably contributed to our break-up because you are sharing the person that you love all the time and that is hard," he said.

He added: "A lot of people in the industry have been there and you feel divided because there are two of you but ultimately there is only one."

Despite the challenges, Ainsley, who shares two children with his ex-wife, confessed that maintaining his cheerful demeanour on shows such as Ainsley Harriott's Street Food was tough while dealing with the aftermath of his marriage breakdown.

"Because I was so natural if I felt a little bit down they [the public] could see it, they could feel it. But at the same time, I was doing a programme that required you to be energetic and stuff like that," he revealed.

In the aftermath of the split, the TV chef, who became a grandad for the first time last year, revealed that he turned to sports including tennis to cope and that he had support from his friends who would pop round to his house for a conversation or who he could have a meal with.

At the time of the pair's split, a statement was released which revealed that mutually decided to part ways and that things were amicable between the pair. "Following media speculation, Ainsley and Clare confirm that they are currently living apart," it read. "Their separation is completely amicable and, as yet, they have no definite plans for the future."

It continued: "They remain close and, together with their family, they ask that their privacy be respected."

The statement concluded with the words: "They will be making no further comment."