Veteran Nigerian actor and broadcaster, Patrick Doyle, has responded to comparisons suggesting his ex-wife, Ireti Doyle, is more popular than he is.
In a candid interview, Doyle pushed back against the narrative, asserting that his legacy and prominence far predate his former partner’s. He revealed that he gained public recognition as early as age 16 and was already a standout figure, even debating with the future Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
“I have been popular since I was 16. How long has she been around? I have been around for 45 years and I’m still around,” he said.
“I was a superstar at the age of 16; a champion debater. I debated against Yemi Osinbajo.”
He further emphasized that his long-standing career in the media and entertainment space stands on its own merit, independent of his ex-wife’s achievements.
“I can never be defined by her. My body of work is too solid to be defined by any human being, living or dead,” he said.
Doyle also pointed to the fact that Ireti continues to bear his surname even after their 2023 divorce, which ended their 24-year marriage, as evidence of the weight his name and legacy carry.
“Why is the name Doyle popular? Why didn’t she revert and change her name at the end of the marriage?” he questioned.
His remarks have stirred conversations about fame, personal legacy, and how public figures are often defined in relation to their spouses.