FOOTBALL ace Andy Carroll and his Towie star wife Billi Mucklow are divorcing after two turbulent years of marriage.
The pair, who have three kids, secretly split in July.
6
6
Geordie Andy, 35, recently joined French team Bordeaux, while Billi, 36, remained at their Essex home.
It comes two years after he passed out on a bed with two women on his stag do.
Pals said the couple filed the legal papers earlier this month. They have three children and had been together for 11 years.
In a statement, ex-England, Newcastle and Liverpool striker Andy said: “Billi and I have privately separated earlier this year and we are under way with our divorce proceedings.
“It has been a hard few months for our family and we continue to move forward amicably for our children.”
A source said: “Andy and Billi care about each other a lot and have made some great memories together, but decided it was best for the family if they went their separate ways having grown apart.
“They’re still focusing on the kids and being the best parents they can be and being respectful of each other.
“They want the process to be straightforward for everyone involved. Andy has been throwing himself into his football.”
The couple got engaged in 2014, before finally tying the knot at the five-star Four Seasons hotel in Hampshire in June 2022.
The wedding was almost off after a picture emerged of sozzled Andy passed out in bed with two women on his Dubai stag do.
Raging Billi removed her £200,000 engagement ring and moved out.
But she forgave Andy when one of the women, Taylor Jane Wilkey, insisted he was a gent and nothing sexual happened.
At the time a pal said: “The wedding cemented their love and marks the start of a new beginning.”
The pair have three children aged nine, six, and four. Andy also has two children, aged 15, and 14, from a previous relationship.
6
6
Opening up about family life last year Andy admitted it was difficult playing football away from home.
He said: “All these doors have opened up for me through football and I’m grateful for that but it has challenges.
They’re still focusing on the kids and being the best parents they can be and being respectful of each other
A source
“People see the money but not the sacrifices. I say a lot to Billi, my wife, that I wish I could just walk down the street and be me. No one really sees me. I’m always keeping up appearances.
“The only sanctuary I have is at home. That’s the only place I can be me. You’re always reserved, always working, you’re always wary. It’s not really a way to live, is it?.
“Someone takes a picture of me and Billi having a glass of wine in a restaurant. You’re always worried.”
Billi shot to fame when she joined reality show The Only Way is Essex during its third series in 2011.
She quit the ITV show in 2013 and is now a Bikram Yoga teacher with a large social media presence.
The couple started dating in 2013 and he proposed in Rome in 2014.
That year Billi said: “He is one of the most genuine and caring people I have ever met.”
Andy has often been in the news over his romps, brawls and court cases. In 2008 he was arrested for an alleged nightclub assault, which landed him a police caution.
A year later he was caught up in a bar brawl, charged with assault and fined £1,000, with £2,500 damages. In 2010 he was arrested for assaulting his then-girlfriend Laurie Henderson.
A condition of his bail meant moving in with then- Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan. In 2011 a man was arrested on suspicion of setting fire to Andy’s Range Rover outside Nolan’s house.
In 2017 a gun-wielding motorbike rider tried to rob Andy of his £22,000 watch as he drove home from training with West Ham.
He began his professional football career with Newcastle United in 2006. In 2011 he earned a £35million transfer to Liverpool, a then record fee for a British player.
He played nine times for England between 2010 and 2012, scoring against Sweden at Euro 2012. He was sold by Liverpool to West Ham but struggled with injuries.
Andy moved back to Newcastle, then to Reading and West Brom.
Andy has been throwing himself into his football
A source
In 2019 he was the 14th wealthiest sportsperson aged 30 or under in The Sunday Times Rich List with a £19million fortune.
Last year Andy signed for French side Amiens. He is now with Bordeaux in the fourth tier.
On signing for them he said: “I’m happy to be playing football. It’s never been a question of money.”
6