Brian McFadden helps Vogue Williams celebrate her 30th despite separation

They went their separate ways in July – calling time on their three-year marriage – but Brian McFadden and Vogue Williams clearly still hold a special place in each other’s hearts.The Irish singer helped his former love to mark her milestone 30th birthday – as Vogue revealed exclusively in her HELLO! Online blog this week.

The model celebrated with a bash at Dublin’s trendy Xico Mexican restaurant, and the group of friends enjoying "gorgeous food and loads of drinks" included the Westlife star. Vogue wrote: "Brian came home for my birthday and it was nice that he was there, we are getting good at this being friends thing and it was great to have him there to celebrate with me."

Vogue Williams was joined by her ex Brian McFadden as she celebrated her 30th birthday

Birthday girl Vogue was in a reflective mood following her special day after starting the week interviewing a prisoner on death row for a work assignment. "It really put things into perspective for me," she explained. "Life really is what you make it and it won’t just happen for you. You can’t just expect great things and happiness to be thrust upon you because it’s not the way things work."

The Irish beauty continued: “I did envision my life would be slightly different at 30 but everything that happens always does for a reason so I’m trying to go with it! I have so many things I want to happen in my 30s and I’m going to write a list and make sure that my whole list is ticked off by the time I’m 40!"

Writing in her HELLO! Online blog, Vogue said of her ex: "We are getting good at this being friends thing."

Whether or not finding love again is on the list, one thing’s for sure – Vogue has a lasting friend in Brian even though they’ve parted ways.

The pair announced the end of their three-year marriage in July in a shared statement posted to Twitter along with a heartbreak emoji.

"It is with sadness that Brian and I have made the tough decision to go our separate ways," the model wrote. "We will always care greatly about each other, remain friends and wish each other all the very best for the future." We have nothing else to say on the subject and we would like to thank our friends and family for their support during this difficult period. Vogue x."

Brian shared the same message on his Twitter page, replacing his name for his wife's.

For her 30th, the Irish model partied the night away at a trendy Mexican restaurant in Dublin with pals

News of the split came as a big shock to fans. Westlife singer Brian described Vogue as his "soulmate" and told how it had been "love at first sight" for the couple.

"We instantly clicked and talked non-stop for eight hours the night we met and I proposed eight months later," 35-year-old Brian told .

The pair wed in a lavish Tuscan ceremony on 2 September 2012. Brian was previously married to Kerry Katona – from 2002 until 2006 – and the couple have two daughters together, Molly, 13, and 12-year-old Lily-Sue from their marriage.

Sign up to HELLO Daily! for the best royal, celebrity and lifestyle coverage

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbHLpaammZeWx6q6xGeaqKVfmLKtscGroK2hlah8c3yQbmhpaGZnhHaCl2itqJ%2Blmnq4tculoJqlo2KAccDHZpmroZGjeq6vxZqbnZ2eZA%3D%3D