Rav Wilding "devastated" over Chantelle split

Rav Wilding is said to be "devastated" over his split with Chantelle Houghton.

Last weekend, the One Show correspondent and Big Brother star Houghton were pictured having an argument in a London park, before Wilding took to Twitter and explained that his relationship with the 27-year-old had ended.

Today, it was suggested that BBC executives had advised Wilding to take a leave of absence to recover from the split.

However, friends told The Sun that Wilding made the decision to take some time out because he is heartbroken by the situation.

"Rav's devastated at the end of the relationship and is having a few days away to try to clear his head and process it all," a source said.

"He feels like he's been used to some extent, and the time alone will be great for him to get over the initial upset and let the dust settle before he gets busy with filming.

"Suggestions that he's been sent on a leave of absence or was called in for a meeting at the BBC are untrue and way off the mark."

Just prior to the public break-up, Houghton admitted that she and the former soldier often argued.