lonely Brad: “Ange has unleashed hell on all of us”
As Brad Pitt’s former bodyguard turns against him, insiders reveal the actor has hit rock bottom
It looked set to be I one of the most dramatic splits in Hollywood history, but last week reports surfaced that Brad Pitt avoided filing a legal response to Angelina Jolie’s divorce petition – hinting he has no intention of having a lengthy legal battle with her.
However, insiders say Brad was rocked last week after the couple’s former bodyguard, Mark Billingham, gave an interview where he claimed he was “basically a father” to the couple’s six children, Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Vivienne and Knox, eight.
FRESH HEARTACHE
The British ex-soldier spent 18 months protecting the family, saying: “Their biggest concern was the kidnapping of the kids.”
He added that the couple trusted him with their children to such an extent that he “could take the kids anywhere I wanted to on my own... I fathered them, basically.”
But sources say his comments have caused fresh heartache for Brad as he adjusts to the shock split.
An insider reveals: “Mark’s comments hit a sore spot with Brad. He’d have loved to have taken the kids to the park or the beach any time he wanted, but he knew they’d be chased by paparazzi, which would put the children at risk, so the security team would often take them instead. But he’s also admitted he found it hard looking after six kids and now regrets relying so much on nannies and bodyguards.
“Brad’s hit rock bottom following the split and is inconsolable. His mum, Jane, has been staying with him to help him get through this.”
In the wake of the break-up last month, reports emerged that Angelina, 41, had grown tired of 52-year-old Brad’s excessive drinking, and the final straw came when he allegedly drunkenly “lunged” at Maddox during an argument aboard a private jet. Brad has denied the allegations.
Angelina moved herself and the children into a £77k-a-month hideaway in Malibu, and Brad has seen the children twice, supervised by LA County Family Services – he only met Maddox for an emotional reunion last week. It’s now believed Brad wants to fight for joint legal and physical custody of all six children.
MOVING ON
The source says: “Brad says Ange has unleashed hell on all of them – he feels his reputation is in tatters, and he and the children are miserable being separated. Ange insists they only communicate through their lawyers. Brad is struggling and is looking for people to turn to; he can’t stand waking up to an empty house.”
But sources close to Angelina say the actress – who was spotted out in public with the children for the first time since the split last week – is trying to work towards an amicable relationship with Brad.
The insider says: “Ange is considering a fresh start in the UK as she’s always felt at home there, but Brad’s insisting they stay close to him in LA. It’s going to be a very bitter split.
“Ange wanted to give her children the stability she never had, growing up with divorced parents. They’ve all been in therapy and she’s doing her best to bring some happiness back to the family. She can see that’s starting to happen.”