BBC Moonflower Murders star Lesley Manville's famous ex husband left her and newborn son

, the star of BBC's crime drama Moonflower Murders and its predecessor, Magpie Murders, has opened up about her early struggles as a young mother and actress. The 68 year old TV star faced one of her biggest personal challenges when her then-husband, Hollywood actor , left her just three months after their son, Alfie, was born.

Lesley, who also played Princess Margaret in , now 66, in the late 1980s. At that time, Gary, who recently starred in the hit TV series Slow Horses, was on the rise to stardom, while Lesley was making her mark in theatre and television. The couple welcomed their son, Alfie, in 1988, but not long after, Gary decided to end the relationship. This left Lesley as a single mum to a newborn, balancing the demands of new motherhood with her burgeoning acting career.

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Reflecting on the challenging period, Lesley revealed that her ex-husband's departure was a pivotal moment in her life. Despite the pain, she believes it made her stronger and motivated her to concentrate on her career.

Speaking on Desert Island Discs, she said: 'I thought we'd be together for ever – we'd have a big family. But maybe if that had have happened, maybe I wouldn't have the career I've got now," reports .

Lesley revealed her determination in the face of personal turmoil, saying: "I wasn't going to fall apart. There was absolutely no question about it for me. I was going to carry on working. And I was also going to be the most brilliant mother. Somehow, I did it. It made me incredibly disciplined about my work."

Following her divorce from Gary in 1990, just three years after they got married and coinciding with Gary's new marriage to Uma Thurman, Manville channelled her energy into a flourishing acting career, all whilst raising her son. She enjoyed tremendous success with films like Another Year and Phantom Thread – garnering BAFTA and Oscar nods – and becoming a household name thanks to starring in TV shows like and Cranford.

Despite their split, Lesley and Gary maintain a connection through their son Alfie, aged 36, an actor himself.

Most recently, Lesley can currently be seen winning over audiences in the latest detective series Moonflower Murders, the much anticipated follow up to Magpie Murders.

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