Match of the Day's Danny Murphy and ex-Hollyoaks star Joanna Taylor split after 14 years of marriage

Ex-midfield ace Danny, 41, has left the ￡1.7m home he shared with his wife Joanna, 40, as they've decided to separate and plan to divorce

Posted Saturday, January 26, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

MATCH of the Day pundit Danny Murphy has split from his wife of more than 14 years.Former Hollyoaks star Joanna Taylor told him to sling his hook, friends said.

The ex-Liverpool, Spurs and Fulham midfielder, 41, packed his bags and left the ￡1.7million property he shared with his wife and their two kids.

Match of the Day's Danny Murphy and ex-Hollyoaks star Joanna Taylor split after 14 years of marriage
Joanna Taylor confirmed she has split from her husband Danny Murphy

Joanna, 40, yesterday confirmed their marriage was over — but insisted they remained pals. She told The Sun: "There's no bad feeling between us.

"He's the father of my children and they adore him. We haven't been together for a while to be honest, we've been separated for a long time."

Joanna smiled and said "okay" when told that concerned mates had called her a "hero" for ending it with Danny — who she married in July 2004.

She said: "We still get on, so I'm not going to speak badly of him. We speak every day. We're not together, he can do what he wants.

Match of the Day's Danny Murphy and ex-Hollyoaks star Joanna Taylor split after 14 years of marriage
Danny has moved out of the property he shared with his wife and their two kids

"Whatever you've been told is of course one-sided, and it has clearly been in my favour, so you should definitely see what he has to say about it."

Pals of Danny insist he never strayed during their marriage and the couple agreed to split with no other parties involved. But friends of Joanna say she will never take him back.

One source said: "She received some information about the state of her marriage. And after a discussion he left home.

"She has told pals she is not expecting him back — and divorce is inevitable. Joanna feels as though she's let a lot go, and their relationship has now run its course."

Match of the Day's Danny Murphy and ex-Hollyoaks star Joanna Taylor split after 14 years of marriage
Joanna and Danny were together for 14 years

Danny showed no hint of strife when he appeared on BBC's Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 last weekend. The ex-midfielder, who won nine England caps, has been a pundit on the long-running footie show since 2013.

He is staying near the family home in Tadworth, Surrey, and maintains constant contact with his kids. Danny is also father to son Ashleigh, 22, from a previous relationship, and has enjoyed nights out with him.

And the retired ace has been spotted enjoying drinks in bars in Reigate, Surrey.

Ex-lads' mags pin-up Joanna prompted a terrace chant during Danny's spell at Spurs, with fans singing: "He's got a lovely wife!" The actress has previously bared all about the couple's sex life.

She said they indulged in kinky S&M sessions involving handcuffs and a whip, and outdoor romps. She admitted to dressing in sexy underwear and then sending saucy selfies to Danny.

Joanna, who shot to fame in 1999 playing Geri Hudson in the Channel 4 soap, was asked in a lads' magazine if the pair ever used handcuffs.

She replied: "Last Valentine's Day I bought Danny a set from Agent Provocateur and a diamante studded whip — so that's a big fat yes."

She told how they once had sex on Danny's ￡40,000 motor.

Match of the Day's Danny Murphy and ex-Hollyoaks star Joanna Taylor split after 14 years of marriage
Danny once played as a midfielder for Liverpool

She said: "I'd had a few glasses of champagne and suddenly Danny's BMW X5 on the driveway look- ed very inviting — the X5's bonnet is the perfect height for it.

"Another time we nearly got caught in the back garden but luckily we heard the front gates open in time. Good job too because it was my mum."

She added: "I'm addicted to underwear. Danny bought me loads from Victoria's Secret including a gorgeous lacy black set.

"I love that with a pair of stockings and suspenders. Danny was on the team coach once so I put it on and sent him a photo on the phone with the message 'Hurry home'."

Joanna left Hollyoaks in 2001 and went on to appear in BBC1 police drama Merseybeat.

Last night a friend of Danny emphasised there was no suggestion of any wrongdoing whatsoever and said the pundit remained on "very good terms" with Joanna.

The pal added that the couple have been separated for a "substantial period of time" and "the divorce is nearly finalised".