Veteran Nigerian actor Patrick Doyle has refuted claims that his estranged wife, Ireti Doyle, is more popular than he is.
He argued that his ex-wife’s decision to keep his surname after their divorce was driven by his popularity.
He pointed out that he rose to fame at the age of 16, long before his ex-wife became well-known. In a recent interview with The Muvmnt Studio, the actor emphasized that he cannot be defined by his ex-wife or anyone else, asserting that he has established credentials of his own
The host asked: “Your ex-wife is more popular than you are, how do you feel about that?”
Doyle replied: “I have been popular since I was 16. How long has she been around? I have been around for 45 years and I’m still around. I was a superstar at the age of 16; a champion debater. I debated against Yemi Osinbajo.
“I can never be defined by her. My body of work is too solid to be defined by any human being living or dead. Why is the name Doyle popular? Why didn’t she revert and change name at the end of the marriage?”
Dolyle married Iretiola Doyle after he lost his first wife to sickle cell anemia in 1999. The couple confirmed their divorce in 2023.