Bodyguard back on the market as Madden splits from actress
HIS portrayal of brooding protection officer David Budd in BBC’s Bodyguard propelled him to heartthrob status.
Now Richard Madden is one of the UK’s most desirable bachelors after reportedly splitting 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 Miserables, did not fly to LA to support Madden, 32, when he picked up a Golden Globe last week for his performance in the BBC One drama that represented its biggest hit in years.
Bodyguard’s finale drew 10.4million viewers – the highest audience for a UK show last year barring the World Cup.
Tellingly, the actor thanked his co- star Keeley Hawes (pictured with him below), Bodyguard writer Jed Mercurio and his friends and family during his acceptance speech – but did not mention Miss Bamber.
And while Madden celebrated his award, Miss 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 The Sun on Sunday: ‘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 said he was ‘very happy’ with Miss Bamber, who is 11 years his junior. ‘I am sleeping with someone,’ he told The Times Magazine in September. ‘I am very happy with someone.’ Representatives for Madden and Miss Bamber did not respond to requests for comment.