Bodyguard star Madden splits with girlfriend

HIS portrayal of brooding protection officer David Budd in BBC’s Bodyguard propelled him to heartthrob status.

Now Richard Madden – who also played Robb Stark in Game Of Thrones – has reportedly split from his girlfriend of 18 months.

Ellie Bamber, 21, is said to have ended things with the Scottish actor last month after their lives had become ‘worlds apart’. The actress, who is currently starring in the BBC adaptation of Les Misérables, did not fly to LA to support Madden, 32, when he picked up a Golden Globe last week for his performance in the BBC drama. Tellingly, the actor thanked his co-star Keeley Hawes, Bodyguard writer Jed Mercurio and his friends and family during his speech – but did not mention Ms Bamber. And while Madden celebrated his award, Ms Bamber posted a cryptic Instagram message, saying: ‘It’s no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then.’

A source told a Sunday newspaper: ‘They were arguing almost daily towards the end and, despite considering couples’ therapy, it became evident there were far too many issues that could not be fixed.’

It comes just months after Madden, pictured with Ms Bamber, said he was ‘very happy’.

‘I am sleeping with someone,’ he told The Times Magazine in September. ‘I am very happy with someone.’

Representatives for Madden and Ms Bamber did not respond to requests for comment.