Graham Coxon Embroiled in Bitter Divorce with Ex Soraya Coxon

Blur guitarist Graham Coxon is in the midst of a bitter, gruelling UK High Court divorce battle with his wife, Soraya "Essy" Coxon. 

On September 19 2024, Mr. Coxon attended an interim hearing at London’s Royal Courts of Justice, presided over by Mr. Justice Peel, regarding his separation. Both Mr. Coxon, represented by Rosanne Godfrey-Lockwood, and Mrs. Coxon, represented by Michael Glaser KC, were identified in the proceedings, though the judge has prohibited publication of specific case details.

A follow-up hearing is expected in the coming months.

Coxon’s professional life remains high-profile as Blur recently completed a world tour, including two monumental performances at Wembley in 2023. The band, which includes Damon Albarn, Alex James, and Dave Rowntree, continues to thrive with a legacy of 13 UK top 10 singles and seven chart-topping albums.

While Coxon’s personal life has been challenging, he has found renewed happiness and inspiration with musician Rose Elinor Dougall. 

Dougall, the granddaughter of respected BBC newsreader Robert Neill Dougall and singer in The Pipettes, and Coxon share both a romantic and musical partnership as the duo behind The WAEVE. They released their latest album, City Lights, in September and are also parents to a two-year-old daughter Eliza May.

Coxon’s marriage to Soraya 'Essy' Coxon reportedly began to dissolve around 2020 with rumours of him meeting Rose Elinor Dougall at the same time during a London charity concert, which led to a period of emotional turmoil. 

Reflecting on the experience, he recently shared with The Times: “It was extremely traumatic. That’s when I knew I needed therapy.”

Graham Coxon with his ex-wife Soraya 'Essy' Coxon

The guitarist eventually returned to the UK, where he connected with Dougall. Their relationship began as a creative collaboration but soon blossomed into romance and family life. 

“I didn’t know what I was going to be doing,” Coxon recalled. “I had just gone through a big loss of confidence, so I liked the idea of working with someone who could sing and play piano and take the strain a little bit. I don’t think either of us expected it to go the way it did.”

Known for his reserved and socially awkward nature, Coxon admitted that Dougall’s lively, outgoing personality has helped him open up. 

“I’ve always been socially awkward, which is why it’s great going out with Rose because she’s lively and she enjoys the moment,” he explained. 

Looking back, he added, “For years I was the snarling person in the corner, hiding in a pub in Camden. I was the problematic Blur boy.”

This news comes around the same time when Damon Albarn, Coxon's long-time friend and bandmate from Blur, separated from his long-term partner Suzi Winstanley. 

10 Facts You Never Knew About Graham Coxon

Graham Coxon is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and producer who is best known as the lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and principal songwriter for the popular British rock band Blur. Since his departure from the band in 2002, Coxon has released eight solo studio albums, collaborated with other artists, and become an accomplished producer. Here are 10 strange facts you never knew about Graham Coxon!

1. Coxon is a self-taught musician. He began playing guitar when he was 11 years old, and learned to play by ear. 2. Coxon was originally a member of a punk band called Seattle. The band released one single in 1982, but soon disbanded. 3. Coxon is known for his unusual guitar-playing style, which combines elements of punk, funk, blues, and jazz. 4. Coxon is a self-described “tinkerer”. He often experiments with unusual guitar tunings and effects, and has built many of his own guitars. 5. Coxon has also dabbled in photography and art, and has had several works featured in exhibitions. 6. Coxon is a passionate collector of vintage guitars and amplifiers. 7. Coxon has released several EPs and albums under the alias “The Blood Brothers”. 8. Coxon has collaborated with other artists, including Damon Albarn, Supergrass, and The Streets. 9. Coxon has collaborated with a number of high-profile musicians and producers, including Stephen Street and Tony Visconti. 10. Coxon is an avid cyclist, and often cycles to gigs and recording sessions. These are 10 strange facts you never knew about Graham Coxon. From his self-taught guitar skills to his passion for cycling, Coxon is an artist whose influence can be felt in many musical genres.