Entertainment

Nigella Lawson's Husband is Even Worse Than You Thought

by Kate Ward

Less than a month after Food Network personality Nigella Lawson's personal life was put under a microscope after disturbing images hit the Web, the chef's husband, Charles Saatchi, told press he would be divorcing Lawson.

In June, the U.K.'s Daily Mirror published a series of photographs showing Saatchi gripping Lawson by the neck during what seemed to be an argument between the couple. After the art collector approached authorities and accepted a police caution for the incident, Saatchi told press he's splitting from his "estranged" wife.

"I feel that I have clearly been a disappointment to Nigella during the last year or so, and I am disappointed that she was advised to make no public comment to explain that I abhor violence of any kind against women, and have never abused her physically in any way," Saatchi said.

Angry that Lawson failed to support him, Saatchi said, "Nigella has given a statement to police to support this view [that Saatchi abused her]. I am sorry that we had a row. I am sorry that she was upset. I am even more sorry that this is the end of our marriage."

The statement, given exclusively to the Daily Mail, was reportedly released to the press prior to Lawson's knowledge of the divorce. Saatchi also claimed Lawson had also grabbed him by the neck in the past.

The couple had been together since 2003 — Lawson was previously married to journalist John Diamond, who died in 2001 following a cancer diagnosis. The chef's representation is declining to comment on Saatchi's words to the Mail.