James Sutton has confirmed that he has sadly split from his wife Rachael Collin.
The Hollyoaks actor, 40, best known for playing John Paul McQueen in the Channel 4 soap, has described their divorce as ‘very sad but amicable’.
The pair first met at Glastonbury Festival and returned there to tie the knot in 2018, but have now gone their separate ways after five years of marriage.
James told MailOnline of the split: ‘Rachael and I had a wonderful relationship and marriage. It was very sad but amicable, and we remain friends.’
Their marriage reportedly became ‘strained’ during the Covid-19 lockdown before the couple decided to quietly divorce.
Break-up: James Sutton, best known for playing John Paul McQueen on Hollyoaks, has confirmed that he has sadly split from his wife Rachael Collin
Ending: The pair first met at Glastonbury Festival and returned there to tie the knot in 2018, but have now gone their separate ways after five years of marriage
A source told The Mirror: ‘James and Rachael have enjoyed a really happy marriage but, as many couples can relate to, their relationship became strained during lockdown.
‘James is in the public eye, whereas Rachael prefers to be out of the spotlight and, after eight fantastic years together, they decided they were better off as friends.’
MailOnline has contacted James’ representatives for further comment.
The couple first met in the camping area at Glastonbury Festival, and James previously told how he made his move by helping her pump up an air bed.
He recalled how he tried to be a ‘hero’ by offering to lend her his electric pump after watching her use a foot pump, and the pair quickly hit it off.
The couple started dating and confirmed their romance in 2017, before they tied the knot at a ceremony at Glastonbury Festival the following year.
Before his relationship with Rachael, James was engaged to model Kit Williams before they went their separate ways in 2016.
Hard times: Their marriage reportedly became ‘strained’ during the Covid-19 lockdown before the couple decided to quietly divorce
Career: James joined Hollyoaks back in 2006 and has featured in a whole host of the drama’s high-profile homosexuality storylines, including ones of male rape and homophobia
The star confirmed their engagement in 2015 during a romantic trip to Barbados but they later split up, with James’ romance with Rachael emerging in early 2017.
James joined Hollyoaks back in 2006 and has featured in a whole host of the drama’s high-profile homosexuality storylines, including ones of male rape and homophobia.
Playing the son of Myra McQueen, he quit the drama in 2008, before returning in December 2012. He then briefly left again in 2017 before coming back in 2019.
He also starred as Ryan Lamb in rival soap opera Emmerdale for two years before the left the ITV show in 2011.
