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Jude and Jobe Bellingham face an emotional distraction as their parents, Mark and Denise, reportedly separate after more than 20 years of marriage, with claims that Mark is “growing close” to another woman.
The family of football’s most famous brothers, Jude and Jobe Bellingham, is going through a difficult period, with reports that their parents have split after two decades of marriage. The Daily Mail reports that Mark and Denise Bellingham have separated after years of living apart while supporting their sons’ careers in England, Germany, and Spain.
Mark, a former police sergeant and the boys’ agent, is said to have “grown close” to Shelley Punshon, a detective constable from West Mercia Police. The pair were recently pictured together, with social media comments describing them as a “lovely couple.” Punshon has also hinted at a holiday in Santorini, suggesting the relationship is public and ongoing.
The separation reportedly comes after signs of strain became visible in recent months. During Jobe’s Champions League match against Athletic Club, Mark and Denise were seen sitting apart, with German media describing the atmosphere as “dangerously tense.” Sources told the Daily Mail that the split has created concern at Borussia Dortmund, where Jobe is said to be struggling with focus and confidence amid family tensions.
One insider reportedly said: “It’s obvious to the management that Jobe is struggling with personal matters. He rarely socialises, spends most of his time alone, and the tension in the family is affecting his performances.”
Mark has already made headlines this season after confronting Dortmund officials over Jobe’s early substitution during the Bundesliga opener, prompting restrictions on family access to team areas. While Mark manages both sons’ career negotiations, including sponsorship and transfer deals, Denise oversees their financial affairs through jointly owned companies. Their business and family dynamics may now need to be restructured following the separation.
The split comes at a sensitive time for both brothers. Jude is recovering from shoulder surgery and was left out of England’s latest squad but is expected to return for Real Madrid’s match against Getafe on October 19. Jobe, meanwhile, remains part of the England U21 setup but has struggled for starts at Dortmund as he adjusts to life in Germany.
Both brothers have spoken with great affection about their parents’ influence on their rise from Birmingham City’s academy to the elite levels of European football. They will now need to maintain focus as their family navigates a painful and public chapter off the field.