ASHLEY Banjo has hit back after fans blasted his message to his ex wife on her birthday.
The Diversity dancer, 34, and former partner Francesca Abbott split in December after 16 years together.
Ashley got engaged to Francesca back in 2014, with the pair marrying a year later and now sharing two children.
They now co-parent their children Rose, three, and Micah, two.
As Francesca celebrated her 36th birthday with a sweet selfie, Ashley showed things were amicable by posting a message underneath.
He wrote: “Happy birthday dude.”
Yet fans were quick to call him out for his apparent casual phrase.
One wrote: “Dude?? Sore.”
Another then wrote: “Ouch!!!!”
Yet Ashley was quick to hit back, and wrote: “For those of you who wish to comment in outrage. This is what we’ve called each other for over a decade and a half.
“But your input is very much appreciated.”
Francesca backed him up and added: “Thanks dude,” with a heart Emoji icon.
Last year, taking to Instagram to announce the split, Ashley explained the couple decided to part ways 18 months ago.
In a joint statement, the pair said: “After much thought and consideration we both feel now is the time to share some personal news.
“Nearly 18 months ago we took the decision to separate.
“After being together for over 16 years, since we were teenagers, this is not a decision that has been taken lightly.
“It has not been easy and the processing of the situation has not been fast by any means. But we feel that as we approach the new year it is time to share this news with others.
“Our main focus will always be our beautiful children. Every decision that has been made is to make sure we can continue as a loving family and give the very best of ourselves as parents.
“Raising Rose and Micah in a healthy and happy environment is the most important thing to both of us.
“Sometimes after so many years people just move in different directions, but we do so lovingly and we continue to try and be both the best parents possible and the best of friends to each other.
“We have always been private with our personal lives, so we kindly ask that everyone please continue to respect that privacy.
“We won’t be making any further comment on the situation. Thank you, lots of love, Ash and Chess x”
Ashley and Francesca share two children, with their first baby, a daughter named Rose, born in 2019.
Francesca gave birth to the family’s second addition, a son named Micah Grace, in the early hours of the evening of March 26, 2020.
