NEWS COPY
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s marriage breakdown has been voted the most shocking split of the last decade.
The announcement that ‘Brangelina’ had separated was deemed more shocking than David Cameron stepping down as Prime Minister after the EU referendum in 2016, according to a study of 2,000 Brits.
Declan Donnelly hosting ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ without presenting pal, Ant McPartlin came third.
Jeremy Clarkson leaving Top Gear and Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry ‘splitting’ as The Great British Bake Off judges were also among the top shockers.
The research, commissioned by Trainline, also found that despite the surprise of Brad and Angelina’s split, almost a fifth of Brits hope that Brad and his first wife, Jennifer Aniston, will reunite.
And given the latest gossip from the SAG awards, where the two were spotted together backstage, this could be one split which is mended in the next decade.
Love Island’s Dani Dyer also featured among the shock splits of the decade with her break-up from fellow contestant, Jack Fincham.
She said: “Everyone is affected by splits, from celebrities’ to their own.
"I’m still upset by the Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez split in 2012, which came in as the 23rd most shocking split of the decade.
“I’m excited to be working with Trainline to show that not all splits are bad, and the new SplitSave app feature is one of the most positive splits out there.
“I’m constantly travelling for work, so the saving will make a big difference to my daily life.”
The study also saw Miley Cyrus' split from Liam Hemsworth in the top 40 as well as the break-up of One Direction when Zayn Malik.
Whilst other shocking splits of the last decade include Westlife, Cheryl and Ashley Cole and Fernando Torres ‘separating’ from Liverpool to move to Chelsea.
Although these weren’t considered to be nearly as heart-breaking as Arsene Wenger leaving Arsenal as manager in 2018, which featured within the top 10.
The research also saw more than a third of those polled confess to loving to follow the ups and downs of famous relationships.
Social media was named as the source for most major split information (34 per cent), ahead of seeing it on TV (33 per cent) and reading about it in papers or magazines (24 per cent).
Brits have been left upset over some famous splits, with 77 per cent even claiming to have cried more when a band or couple went their separate ways than when their own relationship ended.
And when it comes to the methods Brits turn to in order to cheer themselves up after a celebrity split, binge watching TV, films, and listening to sad music came in top, according to the OnePoll research.
But 21 per cent admit that, whilst they feel sorry for the situation, they really enjoy when celebrities split up because it’s so exciting to read about.
Sam Taylor, from Trainline, said: “Our SplitSave app feature is one type of split that’s nothing but good news, allowing train travellers to save £260 a year on average without any changes to their journeys.
“SplitSave could collectively save the nation a huge £340 million in 2020, and with train travel such an essential part of everyday life for many people, we’re excited to see the difference this will make for our customers.”
THE BIGGEST SPLITS OF THE LAST 10 YEARS
1. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - 2016
2. David Cameron stepping down as Prime Minster - 2016
3. Dec presenting 'Saturday Night Takeaway' without Ant - 2018
4. Jeremy Clarkson leaving BBC Top Gear - 2015
5. Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry when The Great British Bake off moved to Channel 4 - 2016
6. Theresa May stepping down as Prime Minster - 2019
7. One Direction splitting up - 2015
8. Arsene Wenger leaving Arsenal as manager - 2018
9. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's 'conscious uncoupling' - 2014
10. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes – 2012
11. Westlife splitting - 2011
12. Cheryl and Ashley Cole - 2010
13. Jason Orange leaves Take That - 2014
14. José Mourinho leaving Chelsea - 2015
15. Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Manchester United to go to Real Madrid - 2009
16. Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton - 2015
17. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart - 2013
18. Mathew Horne and James Corden - 2011
19. Katy Perry and Russell Brand - 2012
20. Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne – 2018
21. Kris Jenner and Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner) - 2013
22. Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth - 2019
23. Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez - 2012
24. Fernando Torres moving from Liverpool to Chelsea - 2011
25. Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore - 2013
26. Girls Aloud breaking up - 2013
27. Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux - 2018
28. Maya Jama and Stormzy - 2019
29. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries - 2011
30. Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid - 2019
31. Calvin Harris and Taylor Swift - 2016
32. Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield - 2015
33. BTS breaking up - 2019
34. Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson - 2018
35. Camila Cabello leaving Fifth Harmony - 2016
36. Kylie Jenner and Tyga - 2017
37. Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer - 2019
38. Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom - 2013
39. Cara Delevingne and Paris Jackson - 2018
40. Mollie King and David Gandy – 2016
ENDS
