Ben Richards splits from wife

Actor Ben Richards has split from his wife just months after revealing his cancer diagnosis.

The 40 year old, who appeared in TV dramas Footballers' Wives and The Bill, received the news from doctors in January, and he told fans he was preparing to undergo radiotherapy treatment.

However, Richards is now facing his health battle as a single man - his wife Helen, who he married in 2003, has revealed their relationship is over.

She hinted at personal issues in a message on her Twitter.com page early last month by declaring, "Well that's that then! Thank you! Only 15 years down the drain!", and now Helen has cleared up her cryptic post.

She writes, "Wish I could remember 2012 as the year of the Olympics, instead of the year my marriage broke down! Sad times."