James splits from his TV girl
THE unlikely romance between the Duchess of Cambridge’s brother, James Middleton, and Geordie actress Donna Air has ended.
The 28-year-old businessmen started dating the former children’s television star three years ago and had surprised friends with the seriousness of the romance.
At 36, she is eight years his senior and she has an 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship with casino millionaire Damian Aspinall.
Last night neither Mr Middleton nor Miss Air responded to requests for comment. But Miss Air posted a none too cryptic message on Instagram. Posted with pictures of a ‘smiley face’ ring from her latest jewellery collection, the message read: ‘Accept what is, let go of what was, have faith in what will be.’
Six weeks ago Mr Middleton was seen in a pub in Devon, where he was holidaying with friends, talking loudly about splitting with Miss Air, the Daily Mail can reveal.
According to one witness, as they drank in the Village Inn in Thurlestone, Mr Middleton was being teased by his friend, Nick Gardener, about going to a local nightclub now that he ‘was single again’.
In an ill-judged attempt at humour, Prince William’s brother-in-law then made an unkind remark about his dog Ella, a female cocker spaniel.
He added that Miss Air was ‘really heartbroken’ and had gone to the Bahamas to ‘lick her wounds’.
Miss Air’s comments yesterday came after it was reported that Mr Middleton had ‘dumped’ her because he ‘wasn’t ready to settle down’. The report claimed his family ‘were always very anti her being the future Queen’s sister-in-law’.
Mr Middleton quit university to start a business making birthday cake kits. Last year the firm, Nice Group London, made losses of £23,353. His new venture, Boomf, which makes personalised marshmallows, seems to be doing better.