Ashley Banjo, the 36-year-old star of Diversity and Dancing On Ice, has spoken candidly about experiencing 'dad guilt' during the Christmas season due to his demanding work schedule. Despite separating from his childhood sweetheart, Francesca, in 2022 after 16 years together, the pair continue to co-parent their children, Rose, 5, and Micah, 4.
Banjo revealed how he spends his brief time off during the holidays, making every moment with his children count before returning to work. He told The Sun: 'We only get Christmas Day and New Year's Day off generally, so it's become a bit of a tradition for us to literally perform, come back from wherever we're doing, spend the day with the kids and the family and stuff, and then shoot back to work.'
While acknowledging the challenges of his schedule, Banjo expressed gratitude for pursuing his lifelong passion. He said: 'It's a real catch 22 because we love what we do. I don't take for granted doing pantomimes and doing shows because we get to spend the months on stage, a couple of times a day, doing what we love - entertaining crowds.'
Reflecting on his career with Diversity, Banjo marvelled at the group's longevity. He said: 'It was obviously our passion first. I've been in the group with some of the boys for 25 years. I look around and think, my God, we're still doing this to sold out audiences of thousands at a time.'
Banjo also spoke about the emotional challenges of balancing work and family life, particularly the guilt fathers feel when work takes precedence. He said: 'You pay the bills, you provide, you do what you love, you've got a family, but I just think that dads in general (and mums) that there is a thing with dads where you have to make choices more so, and you have to make sacrifices. Sometimes being there doesn't always mean directly being there in the room. Sometimes you've got a job to do. So it's a catch 22, isn't it? That guilt. But as much as I can be there, I am absolutely.'
Banjo and Diversity are starring in the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre from December 24, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The show combines street dance with traditional pantomime elements.
