Ashley Walters, who first shot to fame as a member of UK garage group So Solid Crew, continues to attract attention for his personal life. The star, originally from Peckham and known as Asher D in his So Solid days, built a new legion of fans with his role in Channel 4’s drama Top Boy. The show follows the lives of two drug kingpins in Hackney, east London, with Ashley’s character leading a tumultuous life filled with gun violence, kidnappings and prison stints over the four seasons of the BAFTA-winning series.
And now, with the new success of Netflix show Missing You, which started on January, 1, featuring Ashley as the main character once again, fans are keen to explore more about his colourful past. Away from the screen, Ashley is kept busy balancing his career and being a devoted father to his eight children. The 42 year old welcomed his first child when he was just 20 and has since had several more over the past twenty years.
(Image: Ashley has been married to Danielle since 2013)
He is the proud dad to sons Shayon, 22, and Panera, 19, and daughter China, 21, whom he shares with ex-partner Natalie Williams. He also has daughters Antonia and Ashleigh with another woman, as well as Amaiya-Love, 9, and River, 5, with his wife Danielle Isaie, whom he married in 2013.
In addition to his own children, Ashley is also stepfather to his wife’s child from a previous relationship, bringing his total number of children to eight, reports the Mirror.
Ashley and his family settled into their Herne Hill, Kent home, embracing the coastal life since 2021. He’s noticed a stark contrast to London vibes, admitting community feels closer with locals even stopped by with cakes or offered help after storms, which caught him off-guard.
“As soon as we moved in, we had cakes being brought to the door,” he shared with the Guardian. Ashley, reflecting on neighbourly concern post-storm, added, “After the recent storm checking that we’re OK. They said, ‘We noticed your gate’s blown off, do you want us to help you fix it?’ And for us, it’s like, ‘What do they want? ‘ Because you are just so not used to that in London.”
(Image: No credit)
Back in 2016, the Top Boy actor opened up about the demands of fatherhood saying it’s tough balancing work and family. Tagging himself as ‘an every dad’, he juggles multiple roles, bearing the weight of those responsibilities.
“It can be crazy, juggling it all, both of us working, too,” he confessed. Making sure to contact his children regularly remains a priority but challenging. “I’ve called two of my children this week, but I need to call the others. I find it a challenge sometimes to have all that responsibility.”
In December 2020 Ashley became a grandfather at 38 years old. He joyfully announced the arrival of his granddaughter Neveah Jade Walters on Instagram with a sweet photo and the caption: “Wow. How good is God.”
Although he kept it under wraps which of his children had become a parent, it’s known that little Neveah was born on 6 December. Fans and friends alike were thrilled for Ashley, including his Bulletproof co-star Noel Clarke who commented, “WHA! ! ! 1st – Congrats bro. And congrats to the whole family. God is good.”
(Image: No credit)
Before making waves on television, Ashley gained fame as a member of So Solid Crew, joining the collective at 17 and contributing to their chart-topping success with the 2001 hit 21 Seconds, which earned them a Brit Award.
Just a month after receiving the prestigious award, Ashley was handed an 18-month prison sentence for possessing a converted air pistol loaded with live ammunition. Upon his release, he chose to step away from the rap scene which he felt was riddled with ‘problems everywhere’ and instead pursued acting.
Ashley then landed his big break as Ricky in Saul Dibbs’ 2004 film Bullet Boy, a role inspired by his own experiences as an ex-offender trying to rebuild his life post-prison.
View news Source: https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/missing-you-star-ashley-walters-34403625
