Rebecca Adlington announces split from husband of 18 months

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Rebecca Adlington arriving for The Pride of Britain Awards 2015 Credit: Press Association

Former Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has announced her split from husband Harry Needs after 18 months of marriage.

The 27-year-old from Mansfield said the separation from fellow ex-swimmer Needs was "on amicable terms" and insisted the pair "remain close friends".

The couple tied the knot in August 2014 at a rural wedding venue in Staffordshire and Adlington gave birth to their first child in June last year.

A statement posted on Adlington's website said:

Rebecca Adlington celebrates winning the Women's 400m Freestyle Final at the National Aquatics Center on the third day of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Credit: Press Association

Adlington, who won two golds at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and two bronzes at London 2012, has described her daughter's arrival as her "greatest achievement".

Last month, she appeared as a contestant on Channel 4's The Jump but withdrew on medical advice after sustaining a shoulder injury.