Alesha Dixon shocked fans when reports emerged she had split from long-term partner Azuka Ononye, ​​after 18 years together.

The couple, who share two girls together, decided to separate as their relationship began to feel “more like a friendship.” They share 11-year-old Azura and six-year-old Anaya and have always seemed to form a strong family unit.

A source said The Sun: “Alesha quietly told those close to her that she thought their relationship was over and that they were going to separate.”

“She and Azuka have been together for almost two decades, but their relationship is more of a friendship. They are devoted parents to their daughters, ages 11 and 6, and want to focus on maintaining their relationship as well as friendly as possible for their own good.

Split rumors began to emerge when Alesha, 46, and Azuka, 43, attended rapper Nas’ concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in November, but went separately and sat on opposite sides ‘other of the room.

They haven’t been seen together in public since March, when they were photographed at a music event. The father-of-two recently attended the premiere of Wicked in London with their eldest daughter Azura, sans Alesha.

THE Britain’s Got Talent Judge first met Azuka in 2006 and spent the first year playing hard to get her. She just came out of a year-long marriage to So Solid Crew rapper MC Harvey after it emerged he cheated on her.

It was never clear whether Alesha and Azuka had ever married. Neither party has ever confirmed that they were married, but the rapper has sometimes referred to him as her “husband.”

Alesha’s introduction of her former partner as her “lovely husband” on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show Christmas special in December 2017 led to speculation that the couple may have married in secret.

Neither Alesha nor Azuka have publicly addressed the split.