Martin Clunes' life off-screen including first marriage that ended in public bust-up

TV legend Martin Clunes, known for his iconic roles in smash hits like Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin, is once again captivating audiences with his latest venture into the world of documentaries.

The actor sets sail on a new adventure in ITV's Martin Clunes' Islands of the Atlantic, premiering Friday, May 2, where he'll be exploring the lush jungles and vast savannahs off Africa's western coast.

Following his delightful escapades through France with Neil Morrissey, his co-star from Men Behaving Badly, in the U&Gold series, Martin now delves into the mysteries of the Atlantic's hidden islands.

But what about the man behind the camera? Here we take a look at his life off-screen...

Martin's first marriage reportedly ended dramatically when his then-wife Lucy Aston discovered he had attended a party without her, leading to a heated exchange at a Chinese restaurant.

In a 1997 interview with The Mirror, Lucy recounted the moment she decided to end their marriage: "He told me I was boring and different and I just thought: 'No more.' I stood up and said 'thanks for dinner - this is the end' and stormed out. I sat in the car shaking with rage."

She added: "Later I went back and Martin was sitting there, surrounded by takeaway cartons filled with our meal. He just looked at me. I took off my gold wedding ring, slammed it on the table and walked out," reports !

Martin, 63, is now married to TV producer Philippa Braithwaite, who's behind big screen and television successes such as Sliding Doors, Manhunt and Doc Martin.

The pair, who have been wed since 1997, crossed paths in the same year that Martin ended his first marriage. They are known for their preference to keep their personal life away from the public eye.

The couple reside on a sprawling 130-acre farm in Dorset and opted for an intimate wedding ceremony in London.

They share one child, Ellie, who made a cameo in an episode of Doc Martin during her childhood but has since chosen to follow a career in equestrianism. In previous interviews, Martin has expressed his joy in working alongside Philippa and admits he's at his happiest when she's by his side.

A lover of animals, Martin and his family have several dogs, including Laura, a retired guide dog they adopted. This heartwarming tale was documented in the television programme, A Dog Called Laura with Martin Clunes, The Secret World of Guide Dogs.

In the new series, Martin Clunes' Islands of the Atlantic, the actor sets off on an extraordinary journey to discover the islands scattered across the ocean, starting with tropical jungles and grassland savannah off Africa's western coast.

He comes across giant snails and aids in the rescue of endangered sea turtles in the equatorial Sao Tome and Principe, also referred to as the African Galapagos.

His adventure continues as he treks through the savannah on the secluded Bijagos Islands off Guinea Bissau, where he encounters fierce predators and a tribe where women wield the power.

Martin Clunes' Islands of the Atlantic is on ITV1 on Friday, May 2 at 9pm