It was a shock to most when photos of Charles Saatchi grabbing the throat of British chef Nigella Lawson during a heated fight at a London restaurant. Even more surprising was when Saatchi announced he would be divorcing the celebrity cook. But what’s arguable the most unexpected is Lawson being “devastated” by her 70-year-old husband filing for divorce.

"She's devastated," an insider told Us Weekly. "Their family is falling apart, and she can't control the situation.”

Since pictures of Lawson being essentially strangled by Saatchi surfaced on the Internet and in British newspapers, the 53-year-old chef has been staying with family. Even still, the Food Network star was hoping to rekindle her relationship with her now-estranged husband, and she can’t believe he’s opted out of their marriage.

"She moved out, she needed a break, she needed to think, to be apart from him, but in no terms did they break up or even discuss the D-word," the source told the celebrity news site, referring to divorce. "She didn't expect him to pull this move."

What concerns Lawson most is what will happen to Cosim and Bruno, her children from the late John Diamond. "She's worried about how this is going to play out," the source told Us Weekly. "All she can do now is look after the children and make sure they don't get hurt in all of this. They are the most important people in her life.”

Weeks after the attack went public, Saatchi told the Daily Mail in a statement he had filed for divorce from his wife since she did not defend him after their argument at the London restaurant. "I am sorry to announce that Nigella Lawson and I are getting divorced," Saatchi said. "I feel that I have clearly been a disappointment to Nigella during the last year or so, and I am disappointed that she was advised to make no public comment to explain that I abhor violence of any kind against women, and have never abused her physically in any way."

He continued: "This is heartbreaking for both of us as our love was very deep, but in the last year we have become estranged and drifted apart. The row photographed at Scott's restaurant could equally have been Nigella grasping my neck to hold my attention -- as indeed she has done in the past.”

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