Gogglebox's Daniel Lustig says 'you never think' as he breaks silence on split from co-star husband Stephen Webb

Former Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig has spoken out about his split from husband and co-star Stephen Webb for the first time. The pair announced their divorce earlier this year but guaranteed there were no hard feelings between them.

The former couple left the Channel 4 show last year saying the "time is right to move on and explore other opportunities." Stephen was part of the original Gogglebox line-up when it began back in 2013 alongside ex-boyfriend Chris Ashby-Steed, before teaming up with his beloved mum Pat, who tragically died earlier this year, on the show. Daniel later took her place on the sofa alongside Stephen.

But in April, sharing a statement on their split, Stephen said: "It's with much sadness Daniel and I have decided to divorce." But Stephen has guaranteed there are no hard feelings between him and Daniel. There is, and always will be, a lot of love there but we've unfortunately grown apart and made the decision to part ways", he added.

READ MORE: Stacey Solomon's 'heart can't cope' as she shares milestone update while fighting tears

Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link

Meanwhile, Daniel echoed to The Sun on Sunday at the time: "We've made the decision with a very heavy heart to confirm our marriage has come to an end. I'm sure we will forever be friends."

And now, in his first interview since the news broke, 49-year-old Daniel has told OK! Magazine what led to the split, and how they made the difficult decision to announce it to the public. "Neither one of us wanted to be unhappy and when we called time on it, yes it was very upsetting because when you get married and walk down the aisle you don't think that's ever going to happen, you can't think that, you have to think positively," he shared.

The couple decided to separate last year and announced it in April, six years after trying the knot at the majestic Chateau de Lisse in Lot-et-Garonne, France. There was nothing "scandalous" behind the decision, Daniel said, but they realised they were better and happier as "friends with no benefits".

"We got to the point where we'd talked about the breakup, about why we were breaking up, how we were going to go through it, and how we were both feeling. "When we both felt in a stable place and a bit more confident, and also there for each other, that's when we put it out."

As well as being husband and husband, they also run two hugely successful hair salon businesses - and still have plans to open a third. They also share their dogs Betsy, Babs and Princess, who made regular appearances on the plush sofa of the couple's Brighton apartment during their time on Gogglebox.

While the fivesome is currently still living under the same roof, and are still regularly seen together on each other's social media pages, the plan is to go their separate ways once the flat - which they bought in 2021 - is sold. The slightly unconventional set-up is working well for now, Daniel said, with him "still cooking the dinners and Stephen still doing my laundry!".

In another twist, Stephen recently began filming Celebs Go Dating in an attempt to find a new romantic relationship. Alongside the likes of Corrie's Helen Flanagan and Married at First Sight bride Ella Morgan, Stephen has put himself in the capable hands of dating gurus Anna Williamson and Paul Brunson to find him his new Mr Right.

While Daniel admits it's "a bit weird" chatting to his live-in ex about his dates, he's thrilled for Stephen, 52. "He's off filming and he'll come out and we'll have a debrief about it. He doesn't have to tell me anything, and he doesn't tell me everything, but if there's something on his mind we'll talk it through."