Scottish country singer Lisa McHugh has announced her separation from husband Nathan after four years of marriage. In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday, the singer disclosed the couple's decision to go their separate ways, reports RSVP Live.
Singer's statement on social media
'I've thought long and hard about whether to share this, but I feel the time is right to say that Nathan and I separated a number of months ago,' the singer posted on social media. 'I chose to keep this part of our lives private until now, mainly because I wanted to protect our two beautiful kids from as much outside noise as possible, no matter how well-intended, while they navigate what is such a huge change and an incredibly vulnerable time in their little lives.'
'Anyone who knows me knows that they are my whole world, and making sure they feel loved, safe, secure, and supported through all of this has been, and always will be, my absolute priority,' she added.
'For their sake, I won't be discussing the circumstances surrounding our separation or commenting any further on what is a deeply personal family matter. I really hope people can understand and respect that decision, both online and as we go about our everyday lives, particularly when the kids are with us.'
'Nathan and I will always share the most important job we'll ever have, being Mum and Dad, and that's where my focus will remain.'
Challenges and support
'The last year has brought a lot of challenges and change for me and my family, and I'm so grateful for the incredible amount of kindness, love and support that has been shown to us throughout it all,' Lisa praised. 'It has meant more than I could ever properly put into words.'
'For now, my focus is on the kids, continuing with the career I love, and slowly building this next chapter of our lives. There's still a lot to navigate, and we're taking everything one day at a time, but I'm hopeful about what the future holds and focused on creating a happy and secure future for them.'
'Thank you, as always, for all the love and support, and for giving us the time and space to continue finding our way through this change as a family.'
Marriage and family background
The couple tied the knot in a grand celebration in Donegal, having previously postponed their plans during the pandemic. The pair first crossed paths and began their romance after a chance encounter on a night out following one of Lisa's performances in Enniskillen.
'Myself and Nathan met on a random night out in Enniskillen. I went out with a friend after a show and we were walking around in the smoking area,' Lisa recalled with a laugh in 2023, adding that Nathan was in town for a night out with his cousin but wasn't living there at the time.
'He wasn't living here at the time, it was completely coincidental that he was in the bar.'
Lisa and Nathan's family expanded with the arrival of their first child, a son named Milo, in January 2022, followed by their daughter, Hallie, in 2024.
Health struggles and comeback
The separation follows an incredibly challenging year for Lisa, who has endured multiple health struggles. The Scottish vocalist left fans stunned when she disclosed her diagnosis last year of Functional neurological disorder (FND), a condition affecting how the brain transmits and receives signals, resulting in symptoms such as functional seizures, limb weakness or paralysis, tremor and numbness.
For Lisa, FND resulted in the loss of function in both legs, requiring her to relearn walking with the aid of a walking frame. She additionally suffered acute facial pain, alongside crippling headaches, before confronting a sepsis ordeal earlier this year, ultimately leading to her much-anticipated stage comeback in June this summer.
