The trip came as after Murray, 45, appeared in buoyant mood after having finished filming a TV series in Northern Ireland
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Colin Murray and his composer wife Carly Paradis went on a make-or-break holiday weeks before ending their 11-year marriage.

The former husband and wife, who split at the end of last year, are understood to have jetted to Spain in September to ‘save the marriage’.

The trip came as Murray, 45, appeared to be in a buoyant mood after finishing filming a TV series in Northern Ireland.

But a source said: ‘He was on great form when he was back filming in Northern Ireland, and he was saying he was heading to Spain with his wife when the job was over.

‘Turns out that even though he seemed chirpy at the time, it was a make or break holiday for them to try and save the marriage. It’s a pity it didn’t work out.’

The trip came as after Murray, 45, appeared in buoyant mood after having finished filming a TV series in Northern Ireland

The trip came as after Murray, 45, appeared in buoyant mood after having finished filming a TV series in Northern Ireland

The trip came as after Murray, 45, appeared in buoyant mood after having finished filming a TV series in Northern Ireland

Canadian-born composer Paradis  (pictured), 42, is best known for composing the Line Of Duty theme

Canadian-born composer Paradis  (pictured), 42, is best known for composing the Line Of Duty theme

Canadian-born composer Paradis  (pictured), 42, is best known for composing the Line Of Duty theme

Murray, who was revealed as the permanent face of Countdown in January, had spent several weeks recording BBC show Food Fest Northern Ireland alongside his former Radio 1 DJ co-host and friend Edith Bowman.

The filming came as part of a hectic work schedule for the broadcaster that sources say led to a ‘wedge’ growing between him and his wife.

How Colin Murray went from digging graves as a teenager to hosting Britain’s favourite quiz show

The star was born in the Belfast suburbs in 1977 and initially named Luke Wright – but later revealed his parents changed it after just two days when realising it sounded ‘like a direction’.

Murray was educated at the Regent House Grammar School but was asked to leave for being ‘disruptive’.

He claimed his tendency to ask awkward questions or tell jokes were ideal for his future career in presenting and should have instead been nurtured by teachers.

As a teenager, Murray worked as a grave digger before making his first strides into journalism, doing shifts both in Northern Ireland and Canada.

He joined BBC Radio 1 in the late 1990s before becoming a presenter on Channel 4’s breakfast show, RI:SE, though he later admitted the role ‘scared me off TV for a long time’.

Murray then presented BBC Radio 5 Live’s popular sports show, Fighting Talk, before returning to the small screen to host Channel 5’s coverage of UEFA Cup football matches.

His stock grew and in 2010 he was asked to take over from Adrian Chiles as host of Match of the Day 2 (MOTD2) as well as the BBC’s highlights show of the World Cup in South Africa that year.

But three years later, Murray was no longer presenting MOTD2 and also left his radio show under a cloud when his show carried a segment joking about being able to ‘turn’ his openly gay BBC colleague Clare Balding. 

He later admitted: ‘The second I said it… it was just too much’.

Murray then went on to work for commercial rival Talksport, but departed following the takeover of the channel by News Corp in 2016, before returning to Fighting Talk on 5 Live.

On TV, he acted as the temporary host of Countdown during the Covid lockdown before being announced as its permanent face last month. 

A source previously said: ‘Colin and Carly separated after work pushed them apart. Colin got really busy with Countdown and his BBC Radio 5 Live show, while Carly is busy at work as a musician.

‘They ultimately took the decision at the end of last year that it was no longer working between them.

‘Colin and Carly have been open with their friends and family about their break-up and are trying to move on as best they can.’

It comes after Murray announced last month that he is stepping down from his role as host of popular BBC 5 Live show Fighting Talk.

He tweeted: ‘I’ve decided – tough decision – to make this series of Fighting Talk my last as host.

‘I’ve done more seasons of FT than Wenger at Arsenal. Time to give someone else a go. I’ll fill in next season when new host takes hols so still part of the team.’

Meanwhile, his Canadian-born composer wife Paradis , 42, is best known for composing the Line Of Duty theme.

She said the sea could ‘cure tears’ in a cryptic Instagram post last month after it emerged she and Murray had split.

In a post alongside an image of herself on a ferry, she wrote: ‘The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea. Happy New Year.’ 

Sources say the musician has been spending a most of her time in the States since she split from new Countdown host Murray, 45, late last year.

She also recently spent the night partying with friend and PR executive Chandler Poling in Hollywood, posting an image of them at a Saturday night music party.

Her feed doesn’t include a single image of Murray, but it is understood that some of the images the pair have posed for on social media have been removed.

They show the pair in happier times on holiday, buying a Mini and at a fancy dress do.

Murray this month appeared to confirm he was single when he told the Radio Times when asked by Radio Times who controlled the television remote in his house: ‘It’s just me, so me. I’m master of my domain.’

He is said to have split from Paradis after growing apart since he took on the role of Countdown host from Anne Robinson, 78, last July.

The pair, who got married in 2012, ended their relationship late last year and have quietly told friends.

A source told the Sun: ‘Colin and Carly separated after work pushed them apart. 

‘Colin got really busy with Countdown and his BBC Radio 5 Live show, while Carly is busy at work as a musician.

Dream team: Colin said he, mathematician Rachel Riley and lexicographer Susie Dent are 'very excited for the year ahead'

Dream team: Colin said he, mathematician Rachel Riley and lexicographer Susie Dent are 'very excited for the year ahead'

Dream team: Colin said he, mathematician Rachel Riley and lexicographer Susie Dent are ‘very excited for the year ahead’

Carly Paradis also partied with friend and PR executive Chandler Poling over the weekend in Hollywood, posting an image of them at a Saturday night music party

Carly Paradis also partied with friend and PR executive Chandler Poling over the weekend in Hollywood, posting an image of them at a Saturday night music party

Carly Paradis also partied with friend and PR executive Chandler Poling over the weekend in Hollywood, posting an image of them at a Saturday night music party

‘They ultimately took the decision at the end of last year that it was no longer working between them.

‘Colin and Carly have been open with their friends and family about their break-up and are trying to move on as best they can.’

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk

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