Madeleine West confirms split from Masterchef star
Madeleine West has confirmed her separation from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett after 13 years together.
On Sunday, the former Neighbours actress revealed to Stellar that she and Shannon, 42, are "striving to reconnect as friends and parents."
The couple share six children together, Phoenix, 12, Hendrix, 10, Xascha, 8, Xanthe, 6, and twins Xalia and Margaux, 4. Although they will continue to co-parent the children, Madeleine is unsure if she and Shannon will ever reconcile. She also revealed that a "multitude" of kids "puts exponential pressures on a relationship."
To explain the split, Madeleine shared with the publication, "Having a public profile, having two high-pressure careers, having a multitude of children - and I will say they are a lot harder to train than dragons - it puts exponential pressures on a relationship, and cracks can form, and things that we don't necessarily plan in the beginning can happen"
West published a book in 2016 titled Six Under Eight but she keeps her children out of the spotlight, explaining to Stellar, "Until they're of an age where they can choose to enter the public eye, then it's my responsibility to keep them safe."
Madeleine is best known for her role of Dee Bliss on Neighbours which ran from 2000 to 2003. Last year she returned for a recurring role in the soap, but she now stars in an upcoming drama about AFL WAGs titled Playing For Keeps.
Meanwhile, Shannon is best known for being the head chef of the famed Melbourne restaurant Vue de monde. He has also published eight cookbooks.
