Amanda Owen secretly split from husband Clive 18 months ago, it has been claimed, with sources claiming the mum became 'swept up in the spotlight' of their fame before the marriage crumbled.
The Our Yorkshire Farm favourites stunned fans this week with the announcement they were splitting after 22 years of marriage.
The pair shot to prominence on their ITV then Channel 5 reality series, which showed the highs and lows of raising a family and tending to a working farm in the idyllic but gruelling Yorkshire Dales.
As well as starring in her own TV show, Amanda went on to release a number of best-selling books, appeared as a panelist on daytime talk shows and gained a huge Instagram following.
As she announced her break-up with Clive on social media this week, Amanda assured fans that they would 'continue to work on the farm and co-parenting together.'
According to a source, the couple had been working together since the time they 'actually split' which they claimed happened around a year and a half ago.
"Obviously this has just come out but it has been going on for years behind closed doors," the source told the Mail Online.
"They separated 18 months ago. It wouldn’t have been Clive’s choice but I think he’s at a point where he’s accepted the break-up now. They are sharing the care of the kids so still see each other regularly. He does most of the work on the farm and, I think, now he’s come to terms with the separation he just wants to get on with his life."
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The pair met in 1996, after Clive had split from his wife of 13 years Greta Watson, with whom he shares two children.
Clive previously said of his first encounter with Amanda: "I remember this six foot something woman knocked on the door. I was very taken with her. You couldn't not be."
While Amanda said their courtship was a 'slow burn' but she knew farmer Clive would be 'perfect husband material.'
After first appearing on ITV series The Dales, Amanda and Clive proved popular with viewers and landed their own reality show.
The pair, and their nine year children, were given the nickname 'the countryside's Kardashians' over their warts and all series.
As their shock split was revealed this week, a neighbour was reported as suggesting Amanda had become 'caught up in the spotlight and attention.'
"Everytime I saw her on the television I thought who is looking after all those kids and animals. I'm guessing it was Clive," they told the Mail Online.
"They've been apart for months. Most people round here know it's been a few months," they added.
While another source told The Sun: "Clive loves Amanda and clearly adores her."
The source said that the decision to part ways was 'very much in Amanda's hands.'
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Amanda said she had no regrets about airing her family life on their reality show.
"Life is happening whether there's someone filming it or not and that's what keeps everyone grounded," she said.
