Victoria Pendleton has announced that she and her husband of five years, Scott Gardner, have decided to separate. In an emotional Twitter post, she wrote: "After 10 years together I am very sad to say that Scott and I have grown apart, despite our best efforts in trying to make our marriage work, we have come to the decision to go our separate ways. It has been an extremely difficult time and a tough decision to make." Alongside the message, she posted a sweet illustration of a child and a horse which read, "'What have you learned?' 'That no matter how it appears, everyone has their struggles.'"
Victoria and Scott have announced their split
She added in another tweet: "We want to look ahead to the future and stay positive. We would both gratefully appreciate our privacy being respected as we navigate what is a deeply personal time for us."
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An hour later, she also wrote of her announcement: "Just realised that last tweet was number 888. The number pinned on my back in Beijing was 8888 a very significant number - #superstition." Fans were quick to send their support, with one replying, "I know I am only a tweet amongst a million, but I wanted to say that I feel for you at the moment. Don’t be strong be real. Don’t be brave, let yourself feel, and most of all friends will have your back even in the darkest hours, even when it feels you are alone."
The couple married in 2013
Scott and Victoria first met when Scott, a performance scientist, was assigned to take care of the Team GB cycling team. The couple tied the knot at Colshaw Hall, a country manor house in Cheshire, in front of a host of celebrity guests in September 2013. "Seeing Scott at the top of the aisle is an image I'll keep in my mind forever," Victoria said of the day. "I'm very lucky to have met him. If I hadn't had done sport, our paths would never have crossed."