They once looked like the picture of quiet couple goals but after nearly two decades together, Alesha Dixon and Azuka Ononye have reportedly parted ways. The Britain’s Got Talent judge, 46, may be known for her dazzling TV presence, but behind the scenes, her relationship with Azuka had reportedly shifted into something far less romantic.
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From their first spark backstage in 2006 to raising two daughters, their journey has now taken a different turn.
Who is Azuka Ononye? And what do we know about their split?
Reports of the split first arose in November 2024, but now according to Daily Mail, Alesha has confirmed to friends that the relationship is over. Despite their separation, the two are still living under the same roof, reportedly for the sake of their daughters—much like Paddy and Christine McGuinness.
A source revealed to The Sun:
Alesha confirmed she's split from Azuka and is navigating that as best she can. They are still living together for the sake of their family and are co-parenting.
Alesha headed to Jamaica with her friends to get some sunshine and have a break from her hectic schedule. It was a great tonic and she had a fantastic time.
The couple’s last public appearance together was in March 2024, when they attended a music event in London’s Soho. Since then, fans noticed their social media silence and Azuka attending events alone — including the Wicked premiere in November 2024.
Alesha’s absence from Azuka’s online posts and her missing wedding ring in a BGT publicity photo in October 2024 only added fuel to the rumours. Both attended a Nas concert in November but sat on opposite ends of the venue, with no photos together.
In November 2024, it was reported that Alesha shared with those close to her that her 18-year relationship with Azuka had come to an end. A friend told The Sun at that time:
She and Azuka have been together almost two decades but their relationship has become more like a friendship.
They’re devoted parents to their girls, who are 11 and six, and want to focus on keeping their relationship as amicable as possible for their sake.
Who is Azuka Ononye? Everything to know about their love story
Azuka Ononye, 44, is best known as a dancer, creative director, and choreographer with an impressive career. He’s worked with major artists like Whitney Houston, Madonna, Cheryl, and Estelle, and has appeared in ad campaigns for global brands such as Guinness, Nokia and ESPN.
The romance between Alesha and Azuka began backstage. They met in 2006 when Azuka was hired as a dancer for Alesha’s tour. At the time, Alesha was recovering from the heartbreak of her first marriage — but she wasn’t looking to jump into anything new.
Their relationship slowly developed, and Alesha has shared stories about how caring Azuka was during their early days. When she underwent surgery on her foot and struggled with mobility, Azuka went out of his way to look after her — even giving up the bed and sleeping on the floor to be nearby. She shared on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2018:
He was sleeping on the floor because I was on the couch, I couldn't even get up the stairs. If he can carry me to the toilet then he's a keeper.
Then I had the foot operation and I couldn't walk and he was literally sleeping on the floor looking after me every day. I was just looking at him thinking, 'That is for better or for worse isn't it?' I looked a state.
Despite his consistent support, Alesha admitted she played 'hard to get for about a year.’ But eventually, their bond turned into something deeper, and after years of quietly growing their relationship, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Azura Sienna, in 2013. Their second child, Anaya Safiya, was born in 2019.
On Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, Alesha said:
[Azuka] was the first person that I'd met, that I knew that we could have children together because of our values, our morals, our thinking aligned.
Whether they ever legally tied the knot remains unclear, however multiple media outlets report that they have a private wedding.
In 2017, Alesha even introduced Azuka as her 'lovely husband' during Michael McIntyre’s Big Show Christmas Special, sparking speculation. However, neither Alesha nor Azuka have ever officially confirmed their marriage. Still, Alesha always spoke glowingly about the family they built. In 2022, she told HELLO!:
I make a very conscious effort that my daughters have a very loving, supportive home with two parents who are great role models. I feel a sense of responsibility.
This isn’t the first time Alesha has split from a long-term partner.
Alesha’s heartbreak before Azuka
Before Azuka, Alesha was married to So Solid Crew rapper MC Harvey — a relationship that ended in public heartbreak. The two wed in June 2005 after five years of dating, but the marriage fell apart within a year amid cheating allegations.
Alesha discovered that Harvey had been unfaithful with singer and West End star Javine Hylton. In an emotional interview on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Alesha revealed:
I actually deserve an Oscar for that day that he came home and I asked him if he had an affair. I kept my cool I was really calm.
Reflecting on the moment, she said:
The feeling I remember is feeling lost. I honestly couldn’t even find any words.
She even thought of ‘ending it all’ for a split second. She explained:
It was a split-second thought it's obviously something I would never, ever do or was even close to doing, I just remember having a feeling where I was driving when I just felt so low in myself that I just thought I wouldn't care if the car crashed, I just wouldn't care.
Harvey later spoke candidly on the James English podcast about the affair and its fallout. He admitted:
The worst thing I’ve ever had to do is tell a woman I cheated on her.
I thought she was going to kill me.
Despite their painful past, the former couple managed to reconcile, at least in spirit. Harvey revealed that Alesha showed up to pay her respects when his stepfather passed away. He revealed that she even sent flowers worth £500 to his mother to put in the funeral car.
Read more:
Paddy and Christine McGuinness' life post divorce: Their house has reportedly gone on the market
Inside Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne's turbulent marriage as they reportedly split after 8 years
Kevin Costner's dating history: All the women he's had romantic relationships with
Source used:
Daily Mail: Alesha Dixon's 18-year relationship is over - but Britain's Got Talent star reveals why she is still living with her ex
The Sun: Who is Alesha Dixon’s ex-husband Azuka Ononye and does he have kids with the BGT & former Strictly judge
Mirror: Inside Alesha Dixon's doomed marriage to MC Harvey and how her children 'saved' her
