Amanda Abbington says she is sure split with Martin Freeman caused her children ‘irreparable damage’

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Amanda Abbington
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Amanda Abbington has said she worries she and ex-partner Martin Freeman have caused their children “irreparable damage” due to their split.

The 47-year-old Sherlock star and Mr Freeman, 49, split in 2016 after 16 years together.

They have a son Joe, 15, and daughter Grace, 12.

Ms Abbington, who is an ambassador for the It’s OK mental health campaign, spoke about her concerns for an Instagram Live session.

The star said she didn’t want to “hide” anything from her children and was cautious of appearing perfect when no-one is.

She said: “I think it’s unsettling if I pretend I’m this Stepford Wife parent. 

“Nobody is. I’m sure I’ve given them irreparable damage and they will be going to therapy because of me and Martin at some point.

“That’s what I am striving for and what Martin strives for as well — to create a place where they’re not hiding anything.”

The actor also said she was open with her children about her own mental health.

She said: “To hide this from my children, that sometimes I get depressed or if I’m on antidepressants, what are you saying about all these mental health issues? Are you saying they’re offensive and shouldn’t happen? I don’t want that.”

Sherlock Series 3
Abbington and Freeman in Sherlock
Hartswood Films 2013

The star also said her son had been upset when he read a Twitter user had wished her dead online.

“The idea that someone has the mentality to throw those things out to people without even thinking the ripple effect of that. It’s the casual hate I find really upsetting,” she said.

Mr Freeman is also known for his portrayal of  Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit film trilogy and Tim Canterbury in the original UK version of sitcom mockumentary The Office.

In December 2016, Mr Freeman announced the couple had split. He now lives in North London.

The couple appeared together in productions of Sherlock, Swinging with the Finkels, The Debt, The Robinsons, and The All Together.

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