Revealed: A Place in the Sun host Laura Hamilton is in a new relationship with married businessman – but friends say his estranged wife is ‘upset’ over divorce

A Place in the Sun presenter Laura Hamilton is in a new relationship with a married businessman, MailOnline can reveal.

The TV host, 42, has been dating CEO James Pettigrew, 44, since January, her first romance after splitting from husband of nine years, Alex Goward.

Sources close to the couple say James has been ‘spending all his time’ with Laura, who’s famed for her role on the Channel 4 property series.

But the pair’s relationship has ‘upset’ James’ estranged wife, with a friend telling MailOnline Jackie was ‘unaware’ her husband was dating Laura at the beginning of their relationship, and is now going through a painful divorce.

Laura and James, who shares two daughters with Jackie, were pictured smiling together at the Scottish FA Cup Final in May while enjoying corporate tickets to the match between Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers.

A Place in the Sun presenter Laura Hamilton is in a new relationship with a married businessman, MailOnline can reveal

The TV host has been dating CEO James Pettigrew (pictured) since January, her first romance after splitting from husband of nine years, Alex Goward

Laura’s nine-year marriage to ex-husband Alex, with whom she shares children Rocco and Tahlia ended in January 2022 (pictured in 2021)

A source revealed: ‘Laura has been dating James since January and they spend all their time together.

‘While Laura has been single since splitting from her ex-husband, James is still married, and their relationship has caused his estranged wife Jackie a lot of hurt and upset.

‘She was unaware of their romance in the early days and is now going through a painful divorce, with her priority being to protect her two daughters.

‘Laura and James have made every attempt to keep their relationship private but it’s been months and they’re so close now, they are fully committed to each other and making this work longterm.’

Laura’s nine-year marriage to ex-husband Alex, with whom she shares children Rocco, 10, and Tahlia, eight, ended in January 2022.

The former Dancing On Ice star described feeling like she had ‘failed’ amid their separation, which saw Laura move out of the couple’s Surrey family home.

She said: ‘We are co-parenting, and it works. But even that, you know, I kind of felt like I had failed.’

In February 2022, Laura purchased a new property and spent two years renovating the home before selling it earlier this year.

The pair’s relationship has ‘upset’ James’ estranged wife, with a friend telling MailOnline Jackie (pictured) was ‘unaware’ her husband was dating Laura at the beginning of their relationship

A source told MailOnline: ‘While Laura has been single since splitting from her ex-husband, James is still married, and their relationship has caused his estranged wife Jackie a lot of hurt’

Laura has admitted to feeling like she ‘failed’ after the breakdown of her marriage, with the exes co-parenting children Rocco and Tahlia together

The TV host begun her career on children’s television, appearing on Nickelodeon, before she participated on ITV’s Dancing On Ice in 2011

She wrote on Instagram: ‘I juggled managing the renovation, in between being a single mum and continuing to pursue the TV job I very much love… I wasn’t planning on selling this property, but a few months ago, the time came for myself and my children to say goodbye.’

The former children’s TV presenter has spoken about the end of her marriage to Alex, admitting the pair were heading in different directions.

She said: ‘It was a decision we both came to. We have an enormous amount of respect for each other, but we are now on different paths.

‘At the point it was announced, we’d already overcome a lot of difficult times. But I am lucky that we have the relationship and respect for each other that we have, and our children’s happiness will always be our priority.’

Laura’s new partner is CEO of a services and maintenance company called Prospero.

In support of his business, Laura is making an appearance at a corporate event hosted by James in November, where they will discuss the ‘impressive volumes of commercial recycling’ managed by his firm.

The TV host began her career on children’s television, appearing on Nickelodeon, before she participated on ITV’s Dancing On Ice in 2011.

She has been a presenter on A Place in the Sun since 2012 and regularly posts pictures from her sun drenched holidays and filming trips on Instagram.