Alex Demetriou reveals close friendship with Maura Higgins ­made wife ­Carlotta jealous and tore their marriage apart

DANCING On Ice’s Alex Demetriou says his close friendship with Maura ­Higgins made his wife ­jealous – and helped tear their marriage apart.

Alex split from his pro skater wife Carlotta Edwards after the ITV show ended in March.

And he admits his “close bond” with ice partner and Love Islander Maura was a factor.

Alex said: “I think Carlotta found it hard to see me close, yet so professional, with Maura. It had an impact on her.

“I told Carlotta we needed a break but I knew it was for good. I didn’t want to lead her on any more.

“She was shocked at how ­serious it was. I’m not going to lie — it was my decision. Clearly she was very upset.

“Several times I had to explain to Carlotta that Maura and I were just friends. Once the rumours start, it becomes a ­conversation.

“It was hard for Maura being called a homewrecker online.”

Speaking from Blackpool, where he has been locked down with family, Alex said he and Maura became pals as soon as they started training.

He said: “Maura and I have never hid the fact we are close as friends. Within a month, we already had a close bond.”

Alex, a show regular for two years, said having trust was vital to perform the show’s gravity-defying on-ice moves.

He also bonded with last year’s partner, Pussycat Dolls’ Melody Thornton and said: “The only way to do dangerous, life-threatening tricks like the headbanger — where I wrap my hands around her ankles and swing her around — is to create a great relationship. If we weren’t friends, we wouldn’t have done those amazing tricks.

“You need to build a friendship and create a relationship naturally. That is the best part of the job, for me.

“I’d ask questions other people wouldn’t ask, like, ‘What’s your best Christmas memory?’ Things to help create that ­friendship.”

Alex said that as with rival shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, the celebrity and professional partners get fully immersed in the competition.

He added: “I was fortunate that Maura and I got on so well. We understand each other and could calm each other down.

“She’d never done anything like this before. I remember the panic she had. I’d be at home thinking of choreography and new tricks, while Maura would be at home worrying about a turn. It ends up being such a constant. Then to go through something on top of that is a lot.

“The pressure of the show is there. We became emotionally dependent on each other, as you spend so much time together.

“There is a reason you call it a partnership.

“You are there to get your celebrity through the day, to get them out on the ice. I wanted Maura to smile at the end of the routine, even if there was a slight mistake.”

Despite four happy years of marriage with Canadian Carlotta, cracks started to show last year.

Alex regretted losing touch with his family in northern England and started to question if he still wanted to perform on cruise ships. When the couple were given their ­partners on the latest Dancing On Ice, Carlotta ended up ­training in Solihull with magician Ben Hanlin, while Alex and Maura were in Essex.

Alex recalled: “That took a toll. We went from being together all the time to rehearsing with other people. It was a massive shock to the system.

“We started training in ­October, so you’re apart for a really long time. Even when you’re all in the studio, you’re on different schedules.

“I spent a lot of money driving to Solihull to see Carlotta and trying to catch up in the evenings. We hardly saw each other.

“There were insecurities from Carlotta. She found it harder than me and was used to being dependent. Carlotta was in a ­foreign country — she didn’t have friends here.”

But he insisted: “I never saw Maura in a romantic light. We are friends and still talk. We created a bond. Now my mind is on myself and dealing with my decision. But one day I would like a new relationship. I’d love to have children.”

The Sun on Sunday snapped Alex leaving Maura’s home days after filming ended, but Alex said: “I stopped by to say goodbye before I headed to Blackpool.

“On the last night, it was so hectic. I felt like I hadn’t properly had the chance to thank her.

‘I’D BE JEALOUS’

“I left at 1pm. I was only there for an hour! It was a quick cup of tea and nice to close off the season like that.”

Alex bravely revealed he had therapy for depression last year. And this made him realise he didn’t see a future with Carlotta.

He said: “I started to see a counsellor to see what was going on mentally. It was the best thing ever. I’d recommend it to anybody.

“Being a man, you don’t want to admit you’re going through a hard time. Outwardly, my life looked great. It’s hard to open up.

“What I started to realise is that deep down, I was finished with travelling for so many months of the year — living in hotels and eating fast food.

“I wanted to be in the real world again and see my family.

“I had missed out on so much — just small things, like watching football in the pub or going to barbecues.

“I’d be jealous of my mates doing these normal things. My dad used to be my best mate and I was barely talking to him.

“I wanted to put down roots in one place. I felt empty, alone. It was hard to deal with.

“Carlotta wanted to do cruise ships. She would have settled down for me but I knew deep down one of us would have to make the sacrifice.”

Despite the split, Alex hopes they can continue on the show together. He said: “I’d love it if both our contracts were renewed.”

READ ON FOR MORE OF THE BIZ ON SUNDAY COLUMN

Amy angry at botched ops

AMY Childs feels she was taken advantage of by the cosmetic surgery trade after being bombarded with offers of free boob jobs and lip fillers.

The former Towie star, who is now a mother of two, has gone under the knife three times to correct botched boob jobs. She also used Botox and fillers.

Amy said: “Being in the public eye, you get so much stuff gifted to you. At one point on Twitter, I had about 100 messages about lip fillers, all for free, all for publicity.

“Everyone was giving me free boob jobs and I thought, ‘You know what? I’m going to go a bit bigger’. So I had my second lot done then I had a rupture. I had an implant flip over in my body. Last year I had to have another operation when I had my children because they’d dropped so much. No one told me this when I was 18. So I want to put it all out there.”

Speaking to presenter Nicola Bonn on the Outspoken Beauty podcast, which is out today, Amy added: “You look back and think, ‘Why do they want the publicity when I look like a complete freak?’”

Masked millionaire

HIS wacky ITV talent show The Masked Singer was a runaway success and now Joel Dommett is reaping the rewards. The comedian is a millionaire after a series of telly hosting jobs and stand-up tours.

He has £1,141,300 cash in the bank, up from £696,722 a year ago, according figures his firm Neon Hero filed at Companies House.

An industry source said: “Joel is hardworking, young and funny and ITV bosses are grooming him to be their biggest star, with a host of projects.”

Whenever my husband makes me laugh, it’s like I’m falling in love with him all over again

Cate Blanchett tells Saga magazine, out next week, the key to her 23-year marriage to director Andrew Upton

Dalton's doubts

X FACTOR champ Dalton Harris says show mentor Louis Tomlinson has not spoken to him in more than a year – and admits he struggles with self-doubt after his career failed to take off.

The Jamaican singer said: “I heard from Louis a month after X Factor, then I saw him on tour. We aren’t in touch. I’ve reached out but I haven’t heard back.”

Dalton, pictured with Louis, won the talent show in 2018 and is signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco label. But he has not yet released an album.

He added: “After you win, you’re on borrowed time.

“I struggle with thinking whether I’m good enough.”

• GOT a news story? RING us on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk