Actress Ireti Doyle has explained why she chose not to speak publicly about her divorce from Patrick Doyle, saying the matter was private.
Speaking on The Morayo Show hosted by Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Ireti said she deliberately stayed silent because “it’s none of the public’s business,” adding that she only owed any explanation to close family and friends who witnessed their union.
The 58-year-old said she is “not accountable to [the] larger audience who do not care”.
“First of all you did not hear anything because it was none of your business. Two people come together and decided to get married. There is a celebration,” she said. “If you do it right you have a few friends and family around you and you carry on with life.
“Sadly or unfortunately, something goes wrong, you can no longer continue on the journey to life together.
“The only people you owe explanation to only if at all, are those family and friends that gathered on Day one. You see this larger audience that you are performing for they do not care.”
Ireti also addressed how she avoids sharing personal struggles online for attention. She said while breakups are painful, people should focus on self reflection rather than public validation.
“And God forbid, I personally, knowingly, give myself up for click bait. Why are you bleeding all over the internet. You are not going to win. Who are you explaining your to?” she asked.
“The end of any relationship is painful. Whatever the circumstances. I am not apportioning blame. Sit down and understand what went wrong for the sole purpose of not making the same mistakes again.”
Patrick has also spoken publicly about their separation in the past. In interviews and social media posts, he expressed respect for Ireti while noting that their marriage had ended long before it became public knowledge. He also addressed public reactions to Ireti continuing to use his surname, stating that he has no issue with it and that she earned the name during their years together.
Both actors remain prominent figures in Nollywood, with decades of work across film, television and stage.
The former couple got married in 2004 and finalised their divorce in early 2023 after years of separation. Despite the split, both have continued to maintain a professional relationship on screen.
Patrick remarried in 2022 to Olufunmilayo and confirmed the union publicly in March 2023.
