Patrick Doyle has claimed that his ex-wife, Ireti Doyle, continues to use his surname to sustain her prominence in Nollywood.
The former couple, who married in 2004, officially divorced in January 2023. Despite their separation, they remain professionally connected and appeared together in the 2023 thriller The Black Book. They also share five children.
In a recent interview on Duke Rants, Patrick Doyle suggested that his longstanding fame overshadows Ireti’s, implying that she retains the Doyle surname to bolster her popularity.
The 64-year-old actor noted that his career took off at the age of 16, well before Ireti, now 58, rose to prominence in the industry.
“I have been popular since I was 16. Popularity is not to be measured. How long has she been around? I have been around for 45 years, and I am still around. I was a superstar at the age of 16. I debated against Yemi Osinbajo, the former vice president of Nigeria,” he said.
“As of today, I am enjoying my life. I am the one who likes obscurity. Do you see me at parties? It is time for somebody else to shine. I yield. There is nothing to ask.
“Being popular is no longer my objective, but being profound is my objective. Being profound in a very relevant and fundamental way is what I am after now.
“I can never be defined by her. My body of work is too solid to be defined by anyone.
“Why is Doyle popular? Why did the person revert to Doyle after the separation? Who is responsible for making whom popular? The name predates that person’s emergence. It is okay with me. I do not have a problem with it.”
In 2022, Patrick Doyle married Olufunmilayo, but their union was publicly disclosed in March 2023.
Despite their divorce, Doyle has expressed no bitterness towards his ex-wife, Ireti. He has also commended her as an “excellent mother” who has consistently demonstrated exceptional care for their children.