Ashley Banjo reveals how he deals with ‘dad guilt’ at Christmas as hectic schedule takes him away from home
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DIVERSITY star Ashley Banjo has opened up about his 'dad guilt' over the Christmas period - and how he manages his busy work schedule with fitting in quality time with his loved ones. Dancer and choreographer Ashley, 36, split up with his childhood sweetheart, professional dancer and talent manager Francesca, in 2022 after 16 years.
![[The pair share a son and daughter together]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ashley-banjo-wife-francesca-split-784611893.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The Dancing On Ice star told The Sun exclusively about his festive plans and how he navigates work with co-parenting their children Rose, four, and Micah, three. He explained: "We only get Christmas Day and New Year's day off generally, so it's become a bit of a tradition for us to literally perform, come back from wherever we're doing, spend the day with the kids and the family and stuff, and then shoot back to work.
![[The co-parents work together to raise their son and daughter]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ashley-banjo-wife-francesca-split-784611881.jpg?strip=all&w=885)
"It's a real catch 22 because we love what we do. "I said to someone the other day that I don't take for granted doing pantomimes and doing shows because we get to spend the months on stage, a couple of times a day, doing what we love, doing what we're good at - entertaining crowds.
![[The dancer is a favourite on ITV's Dancing On Ice]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/58f0c633-968c-4626-a580-ac21e1228e48.jpg?strip=all&w=699)
"It was obviously our passion first. I've been in the group with some of the boys for 25 years. I look around and think, my God, we're still doing this to sold out audiences of thousands at a time.". Although he loves his job, the proud dad would love some more R&R over the festive season.
![[Ashley and his talent manager wife were childhood sweethearts]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/francesca-banjo-ashleys-wife-instagram-690227556.jpg?strip=all&w=769)
He continued: "We perform more in that panto season than some people do in their whole life. "I don't take that for granted and I will miss it if it's ever not there. But at the same time, I also go, oh my God, I wish that I could just have two weeks of going to the Christmas markets and going around and spending time.".
![[Christmas and panto season is a hugely busy time for Diversity]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/syco-thames-reproduced-editorial-purposes-608922076.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
