Ashley Banjo: Split, Net Worth, and 2025 Update

When a childhood sweetheart marriage that started at 16 quietly falls apart in the public eye, it’s easy to wonder what went wrong. Ashley Banjo, the dancer who led Diversity to Britain’s Got Talent glory in 2009, announced his separation from wife Francesca Abbott in 2022, revealing the split had actually happened 18 months earlier.

Full Name: Ashley Modurotolu Banjo ·
Born: 4 October 1988 ·
Occupation: Dancer, choreographer, television personality ·
Known For: Leader of Diversity, winners of Britain’s Got Talent ·
Awards: MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire)

Ten key facts about Ashley Banjo at a glance, from his name and birth date through to his net worth and marital status.

What happened with Ashley Banjo and his wife?

Details of the separation announcement

Ashley Banjo and Francesca Abbott announced their separation in December 2022 via a social media statement. In his announcement, Banjo said the couple had made the decision to separate nearly 18 months earlier, as reported by Yahoo News Canada. A later report from the Express indicated they had been living apart for more than a year and a half before the split became public.

Timeline of the split

• July 2015: Ashley Banjo marries Francesca Abbott (HELLO! magazine).
• Mid-2021 (approx.): The couple allegedly separate privately.
• December 2022: Banjo publicly confirms the separation (Yahoo News Canada).
• 2024-2025: Banjo is reportedly seen with a new partner, though no official confirmation has been made (Entertainment Daily).

Is Ashley Banjo separated from his wife?

Confirmation of separation

Yes, Banjo and Abbott are separated. In a December 2022 statement, Banjo confirmed the split, saying the decision had been mutual and amicable, as covered by the Express. No divorce filing has been publicly reported as of May 2025.

Legal and co-parenting arrangements

Both parents remain actively involved in raising their two children, Rose and Micah (the Mirror). Banjo has not disclosed any formal custody agreement in public interviews.

The implication: The public knows the separation status, but the legal details remain private.

Who is Ashley Banjo’s partner now?

Identity of the new partner

As of May 2025, Ashley Banjo has not publicly confirmed the identity of a new partner. Reports from Entertainment Daily suggest he has been seen in public with a woman, but her name has not been officially disclosed.

How they met

No details have emerged about how Banjo met his reported new partner. He has kept the relationship private, and no source has confirmed the circumstances of their meeting.

Public appearances together

Banjo has been photographed with a woman on a few occasions, but no reliable source has identified her, and Banjo himself has neither confirmed nor denied the relationship (Entertainment Daily).

Why did Ashley Banjo and Francesca split?

Reported reasons for the split

The split was described by Banjo as mutual and amicable (Express). A source close to the couple suggested that the pressures of public life and their demanding careers contributed to the breakdown of the marriage. Banjo has not elaborated further.

Statements from Ashley Banjo

Banjo has released only one public statement on the split, posted in December 2022. In it, he thanked fans for their support but did not disclose specific reasons (Yahoo News Canada).

The pattern: Official statements frame the split as amicable, but the underlying reasons remain private.

How rich is Ashley Banjo?

Estimated net worth

• £4 million (2025): According to NationalWorld.
• $1.5 million (2021): Estimated by The Sun, equivalent to just over £1 million at the time.
• £770,000 (2019): Estimated by HELLO! magazine.
• $1 million: Listed by CelebrityNetWorth.

Sources of income: Diversity, TV, endorsements

Banjo’s primary income comes from Diversity’s tours, television appearances — including his role as a judge on Dancing on Ice since 2021 — and brand endorsement deals (NationalWorld). A 2020 report from HELLO! stated Banjo earned more than £500,000 from his Dancing on Ice judging role.

Comparison to other BGT winners

Banjo’s estimated £4 million net worth places him below some BGT winners like Susan Boyle (estimated £22 million) but above others such as George Sampson (£1 million). The range varies significantly based on post-show career trajectories and TV deals.

What’s unclear

Timeline signal

• 4 October 1988: Ashley Banjo born in Leytonstone, London (The Sun).
• 2009: Wins Britain’s Got Talent with Diversity (NationalWorld).
• 2015: Marries Francesca Abbott (HELLO!).
• 2019: Awarded MBE (BBC).
• 2022: Announces separation from Francesca Abbott (Yahoo News Canada).

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Ashley Banjo: Diversity, career and estimated net worth
• Britain’s Got Talent winners: from £1m to £22m — where they are now