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Jon and Kate Plus 8 was a sham for last two years - divorce papers


By Chris Parry, Vancouver SunJune 25, 2009 7:41 AM

Jon and Kate Gosselin attend the Discovery Upfront Presentation NY - Talent Images at the Frederick P. Rose Hall on April 23, 2008 in New York City.

Jon and Kate Gosselin attend the Discovery Upfront Presentation NY - Talent Images at the Frederick P. Rose Hall on April 23, 2008 in New York City.
Photograph by: Thos Robinson, Getty Images

According to divorce papers filed in a Pennsylvania court, Jon and Kate Gosselin have been living apart for two years, despite representing themselves as a model family to TV viewers across North America in their Jon and Kate Plus 8 reality show.

The document confirms that, despite the Gosselins' continual claims that the press was 'harassing them' and making up stories about their problems, the true depth of their broken marriage was being hidden from public view. While Kate was appearing for paid speeches where she would talk about being a 'super mom', and putting her name to ghostwritten books on parenting, her husband was living over the family garage.

The couple denied vehemently that Jon was dating 23-year-old Deanna Hummel, whom he called a friend of the family, only for that to be shown to be true. They also denied they were living apart, which again was false.

When family members alleged the couple had split and were playing a part for TV, the pair again denied the allegation, which have since been shown to be true.

The divorce papers, in which plaintiff Kate call the marriage "irretrievably broken", state the couple have been unable to agree on a distribution of common property and ask the court to adjudicate.

The divorce was filed on the 23rd of June after Jon Gosselin was seen shopping for apartments in Manhattan's glossy Trump Place. Kate, apparently unimpressed that her husband was planning to splash out on an expensive east coast bachelor pad, said she had no choice but to file for divorce to protect herself.

"Over the course of this weekend, Jon's activities have left me no choice but to file legal procedures in order to protect myself and our children," she said in a statement, claiming the filing was "appropriate and necessary."

Jon fired back that we was "hurt" by the move.

"Yesterday, Kate filed for divorce. Our kids are still my No. 1 priority. I love them and want to make sure they stay happy, healthy and safe.

"My job is being the best, most supportive and loving father that I can be to my kids, and not being married to Kate doesn't change that," he said. "This will be a difficult transition for all of us, but Kate and I will work out a schedule that enables our kids to have plenty of quality time with both of us at home in Pennsylvania."

"I am deeply saddened that we are divorcing, and also hurt by the statement Kate made last night about the divorce. I have always done everything I can to protect our family."

Jon claimed the only thing in the divorce papers he agrees with is a desire to settle things amicably, adding, "Of course emotions are running high for both of us right now, but for the sake of our children and our family's privacy, I hope that we can both limit our public comments about the legal proceedings going forward."

Of course, considering how many things Jon Gosselin has claimed were untrue over recent months, only for them to be proven later, perhaps his statement should be taken with a grain of salt.

Meanwhile, producers of the Jon and Kate Plus 8 TV show have denied Gosselin's girlfriend will be involved in the show going forward, despite the claims of an unnamed 'insider' that was parroted by some sections of the media.

A TLC spokesman said Wednesday there were no plans to include Deanna Hummel in the show, adding, “We are in hiatus and all future episodes haven’t even been planned."

TLC will be running clip shows until the new episodes are ready to air, which is expected to be in August.

In recent weeks it has been alleged that Gosselin is actually dating the daughter of Kate's plastic surgeon, and not Hummel.

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