GUINNESS IS GOOD FOR LU

A MILLIONAIRE Guinness heir has split from his wife and is now dating his daughters' former nursery school teacher.

Playwright Valentine Guinness, 45, revealed the new woman in his life as Lucinda Pears - a woman who shares the same name as his wife and is known as Mrs Loo by her pupils.

The couple were spotted together at a EUR260-a-head London society ball last week while his handbag-designer wife was in New York.

One onlooker said: "They looked very comfortable in each other's company at the official 'coming out' as a couple."

Valentine and his wife "Lulu", 43, split recently after 18 years of marriage blaming her bouts of depression.

A friend says: "Although some people may have thought she accompanied him to the party because his wife was abroad, in fact Lucinda is the new lady in his life.

"Lulu knows about her, but she and Valentine have remained very good friends. The marriage had not been going well for some time, and I think they both realise they are much happier not living together."

Valentine, 45, has moved out of his marital home in London to a flat just a few doors away.

The playwright is living on the same road in west London where he previously lived with Lulu and their two daughters, aged seven and 13.

Lulu, who runs a multimillion-pound business designing handbags for the stars including Madonna and Jerry Hall, said: "He has moved nearby and we are both very happy about that. It is good for the children."

The couple's marriage fell apart after workaholic Lulu's struggle with depression took its toll on their relationship.

Last month Valentine's brother-in-law, wealthy landowner Robert Hesketh, died of a heart attack aged just 48. Hesketh, who was married to Valentine's sister Catherine, was found dead by his wife's uncle Erskine Guinness after a party.

Valentine met Lulu when he was an aspiring rock star and she sang backing vocals for his band, Panic.

She was the pretty daughter of a Royal Navy commander and working as an actress, model and occassional film production assistant.

They married six years later.

Lulu said: "We're not heading for the divorce courts, but I don't think we will be getting back together again."

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