Irish country singer Lisa McHugh has announced her split from husband Nathan after four years of marriage, sharing the news in a heartfelt statement on social media. Taking to social media on Wednesday, the singer issued a statement announcing the couple's decision to separate.
She wrote: "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.
"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.
Priority on the children
"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, reports RSVP Live.
"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 gratitude
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
The duo tied the knot in an extravagant ceremony in Donegal after delaying their plans during the pandemic. The pair initially fell head over heels and began their romance following a chance encounter on a spontaneous evening out after Lisa had performed a gig in Enniskillen, as she remembered: "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 celebrated the arrival of their first child together, a son named Milo, in January 2022, before welcoming their daughter, Hallie, in 2024.
The separation follows an incredibly challenging year for Lisa, who has grappled with numerous health issues. The Scottish songstress stunned fans when she disclosed her diagnosis last year of Functional neurological disorder (FND), a condition characterised by problems with how the brain sends and receives signals, resulting in symptoms such as functional seizures, limb weakness or paralysis, tremor and numbness.
In Lisa's case, FND led to her losing function in both of her legs, necessitating that she relearn how to walk using a walking frame. She also suffered from intense facial pain and debilitating headaches, and then battled sepsis earlier this year, before finally making her eagerly anticipated return to the stage in June this summer.
