Charles Saatchi announces divorce from Nigella

Just four weeks after photographs showing Charles Saatchi grabbing his wife Nigella Lawson’s throat in an argument were released, he has announced that he will begin divorce proceedings against the well-known television chef.

The advertising tycoon and multi-millionaire art dealer has explained that the decision to divorce came after his wife did not attempt to defend him when photographs showing him grabbing her throat in an argument were released. Since the incident, Miss Lawson has moved out of their marital home and been seen on numerous occasions without her wedding ring, but has made no comment on the events that occurred that day.

Mr Saatchi at first referred to the argument as a “playful tiff” and said that he had grabbed her throat numerous times to “emphasise his point” during the exchange of views. Nevertheless, he went to Charing Cross police station of his own accord, claiming he did this to avoid having the incident “hanging over all of us for months”.  

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Saatchi stated: “I am so sorry to announce that Nigella Lawson and I are getting divorced. 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.”

He added: “This is heartbreaking for both of us as our love was very deep, but in the last year we have become estranged and drifted apart… The row photographed at Scott’s restaurant could equally have been Nigella grabbing my neck to hold my attention − as indeed she has done in the past.”

Molly Kersey