The family behind England football sensation Jude Bellingham is facing personal upheaval as his parents have decided to end their long-term marriage, the Daily Mail can reveal.
Mark Bellingham, the 56-year-old former police sergeant turned 'silver fox' father of the football stars, and his wife Denise have separated after building their life together in the West Midlands.
A Football Family Divided
The couple, who raised both Jude - now a global superstar with Real Madrid and England - and his younger brother Jobe, currently making waves at Sunderland, have gone their separate ways following what friends describe as 'growing apart' over time.
Mark, who gained attention for his distinguished appearance during England's Euro 2024 campaign, has reportedly grown close to another woman, described as a 'divorced mother-of-two'. The new relationship has developed while he continues to be a visible presence at his sons' matches.
From Police Sergeant to Football Dad
The Bellingham family story has been one of football folklore - Mark, a highly-regarded former West Midlands Police sergeant, and Denise creating a stable home environment that nurtured two professional football talents.
Their dedication to their sons' careers saw them make countless trips to training sessions and matches, with Mark even becoming a prolific non-league goalscorer in his own right during his policing days.
The family unit that supported Jude's rise from Birmingham City prodigy to £88 million Real Madrid signing has now fundamentally changed.
Brothers United Despite Family Split
Despite the parental separation, sources close to the family emphasise that both Jude, 21, and Jobe, 19, remain close to both parents and are supporting each other through the family changes.
The brothers, who have often spoken about their tight-knit family background, now face navigating their skyrocketing careers while dealing with their parents' separation.
Friends of the family suggest the split has been 'amicable' with both parents determined to maintain their unwavering support for their sons' flourishing careers.
As Jude continues to captivate football fans worldwide and Jobe establishes himself as one of the Championship's most promising talents, the family foundation that launched them to stardom has undergone its most significant change yet.
