In his first interview since his "conscious uncoupling" with Gwyneth Paltrow last month, Chris Martin shed new insight into the demise of their marriage. The Coldplay frontman addressed their surprising separation—and touched on his own personal issues—while speaking to BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe. 
 
 Did his relationship breakdown with Paltrow inspire the band's new album, Ghost Stories? 
 
 "I wouldn't use the word breakdown," Martin said. "This was more a realization about trying to grow up basically. Like I said, if you can't open yourself up, you can't appreciate the wonder inside. So you can be with someone very wonderful, but because of your own issues you cannot let that be celebrated in the right way. What changed for me was—I don't want to go through life being scared of it, being scared of love, being scared of rejection, being scared of failure. Ever since our band came out, we have been a very polarizing group because we do a certain thing very well...About two years ago I was a mess really because I can't enjoy the thing that we are good at and I can't enjoy the great things around me because I'm burdened by this—I've got to not blame anyone else and make some changes." ||||| Singer Chris Martin is taking the blame for his split from wife Gwyneth Paltrow, saying his own demons ruined their 10-year marriage. 
 
 The “Coldplay” frontman broke his silence on his marital woes in an interview with BBC Radio 1. 
 
 “About two years ago I was a mess, really, because I can’t enjoy the things that we are good at and I can’t enjoy the great things around me because I’m burdened by this,” Martin said in the interview to be broadcast Monday in Britain. 
 
 “I’ve got to not blame anyone else and make some changes,” he said. 
 
 Paltrow, 41, and Martin, 37, who have two young children, announced in March that they were separating, or as they put it, “conscious uncoupling.” 
 
 I’ve got to not blame anyone else and make some changes. 
 
 Martin said his personal issues caused him and Paltrow to grow apart. 
 
 “I wouldn’t use the word breakdown — this was more a realization about trying to grow up, basically,” Martin said. 
 
 “If you can’t open yourself up, you can’t appreciate the wonder inside. So you can be with someone very wonderful, but because of your own issues you cannot let that be celebrated in the right way,” he said. 
 
 He said his band’s new album, “Ghost Stories,” allowed him to be honest and get to the root of his problems. 
 
 “I think in life everyone needs to be broken in some way. I think everyone in their life goes through challenges, whether it’s love or money, kids or illness,” Martin said. 
 
 “You have to really not run away from that stuff,” he said. “Life throws these colorful challenges at you ... what we decided to do on 'Ghost Stories' was to really be honest about it and say, this is what’s been happening.” 
 
 He said he now realizes what he needs to work on in life to make himself a better person, although it’s likely too late to salvage his marriage to Paltrow. 
 
 “If you don’t let love really in, then you can’t really give it back,” he said. “You’ve got to open yourself up to love and if you really do, of course, it will be painful at some times, but then it will be great at some point.” 
 
 Chris Martin broke his silence on the split, telling BBC Radio 1 that his personal issues ended their marriage. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage) Paltrow, 41, and Martin, 37, married 10 years ago and have two young children. (Craig Barritt/Getty Images) 
 
 Besides getting himself in mental shape, Martin has taken up boxing to improve his physical condition. 
 
 He recently hired a $215-an-hour personal trainer recommended by rapper Jay Z to whip him into shape, the Sunday Mirror reported. 
 
 “Chris is a big fan of boxing and loves nothing better than working out with a punch bag,” a source told the Mirror. 
 
 On a mobile device? Click to watch the video. 
 
 Sign up for BREAKING NEWS Emails privacy policy Thanks for subscribing! ||||| Chris Martin says his break-up with Gwyneth Paltrow inspired the writing process for Coldplay's latest studio album. 
 
 In an interview with Radio 1's Zane Lowe, the singer also admitted he was feeling hopeful despite the split. 
 
 "I think in life everyone needs to be broken in some way," he said. 
 
 "I think everyone in their life goes through challenges, whether it's love or money, kids or illness. You have to really not run away from that stuff." 
 
 Martin and Paltrow separated last month after a decade of marriage. 
 
 The singer says the issues the pair were having influenced the writing on Ghost Stories, which is due out in May. 
 
 "Up to a certain point in my life I wasn't completely vulnerable and it caused some problems," he said. "If you don't let love in then you can't really give it back. 
 
 "So what Ghost Stories means to me is like, you've got to open yourself up to love and if you really do, of course it will be painful at times, but then it will be great at some point." 
 
 I think everyone in their life goes through challenges, whether it's love or money, kids, or illness. You have to really not run away from that stuff Chris Martin 
 
 Paltrow, 41, and 37-year-old Martin announced their break-up in March on her blog in a post titled Conscious Uncoupling. 
 
 "It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate," the couple wrote. 
 
 The band's lead single, Magic, was released in March and was one of the tracks played on their Radio 1 Live Lounge set last week. 
 
 Describing the song, Martin said: "It's not a question of you either really love someone or you really hate someone, it's more nuanced than that - especially with the modern world's complications - like travelling and all the stuff that comes to life, and illness and addiction and all that sort of thing. 
 
 "It's just saying - ultimately - there is magic between two people no matter what anyone else thinks." 
 
 The pair, who married in December 2003, have two children - Apple, nine, and Moses, seven. 
 
 I'm saying One Direction are brilliant and I'm not kidding. You know why? Because their songs are really good Chris Martin 
 
 In the message on Paltrow's Goop.com website, the couple said they had "come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much, we will remain separate". 
 
 Speaking about the break-up, he said: "I wouldn't use the word breakdown, this was more a realisation about trying to grow up. 
 
 "If you can't open yourself up, you can't appreciate the wonder inside. 
 
 "You can be with someone wonderful, but because of your issues you can't let that be celebrated in the right way." 
 
 The musician also explained his decision to go on Zane Lowe's radio show. 
 
 "The reason I wanted to do this was because I love your Kanye interview," said Martin. 
 
 "That guy is amazing and I think he is misunderstood by people who only look on the surface. I understand what he is talking about and I understand what he means." 
 
 Last week the band appeared on Fearne Cotton's Radio 1 show to reveal they would be headlining the Saturday night at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Glasgow. 
 
 Earlier today Nick Grimshaw confirmed One Direction would be opening the main stage that day. 
 
 "I think One Direction are the biggest band in the world, their songs are great," said Martin. 
 
 "I'm saying One Direction are brilliant and I'm not kidding. You know why? Because their songs are really good and I don't think that any of them are going to go solo. 
 
 "Harry has come to a couple of our shows. I was too enamoured with his hair cut. I was having a hot flush." 
 
 Meanwhile, Coldplay are to reveal the lyrics for all nine songs from their upcoming Ghost Stories album by hiding Chris Martin's handwritten lyric sheets in libraries across the world. 
 
 The lyrics will be hidden in ghost story books in libraries in nine countries. 
 
 Clues to the exact locations of the lyrics will be posted from Monday on the band's Twitter account using the hashtag #lyricshunt. 
 
 One of the hidden envelopes will contain a special golden ticket, giving the finder and a guest a free trip to London to see Coldplay perform at the Royal Albert Hall on 1 July. 
 
 The full hour-long interview with Chris Martin will be broadcast at 20:00 BST on Monday night on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show. 
 
 You can listen live on BBC Radio 1, via mobile and the BBC iPlayer radio app and you will also be able to watch the interview on Radio 1's YouTube channel after 21:00 BST on Monday. 
 
 Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter ||||| 'I've got to not blame anyone else': Chris Martin reveals how his own personal issues contributed to 'conscious uncoupling' from Gwyneth Paltrow 
 
 Singer hinted his personal issues and insecurities played a big part in breakdown of marriage 
 
 Said everyone goes through 'challenges' in their lives 'whether it’s love or money, kids, or illness' 
 
 New album Ghost Stories is about is his attempt at being 'honest' about everything that is happening 
 
 
 
 Chris Martin has spoken about how his personal issues played a part in his marital split from Gwyneth Paltrow. 
 
 In a revealing interview with BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe, the Coldplay frontman gave the first real insight into troubles within his ten-year marriage to the actress. 
 
 ' About two years ago I was a mess really because I can't enjoy the thing that we are good at and I can't enjoy the great things around me because I'm burdened by this,' the 38-year old said. 
 
 
 
 'I've got to not blame anyone else and make some changes.' 
 
 Scroll down for video 
 
 
 
 Ready to talk: Coldplay frontman Chris Martin - seen outside his hotel in Germany on Saturday - has spoken about his split from Gwyneth Paltrow in a new interview 
 
 Brave face: Gwyneth Paltrow showed off her slim pins in patterned shorts as she posed with Paris Photo Director Julien Frydman at his exhibition on Sunday He continued: 'I wouldn’t use the word breakdown, this was more a realisation about trying to grow up basically. 
 
 'If you can’t open yourself up, you can’t appreciate the wonder inside. So you can be with someone very wonderful, but because of your own issues you cannot let that be celebrated in the right way. 
 
 'What changed for me was - I don’t want to go through life being scared of it, being scared of love, being scared of rejection, being scared of failure.' 
 
 Moving on: Gwyneth was spotted stepping into her car after apparently getting her chakras balanced in Los Angeles on Friday 
 
 It's getting real: Removal men were seen at the London home of Gywneth and Chris earlier this week 
 
 Chris appeared to be shouldering the blame for how the couple's troubles began. He said: 'Up to a certain point in my life I wasn’t completely vulnerable and it caused some problems.' 
 
 He added: 'If you don’t let love really in then you can’t really give it back. 
 
 
 
 'So what Ghost Story means to me is like you’ve got to open yourself up to love and if you really do, of course it will be painful at times, but then it will be great at some point. 
 
 ' 
 
 Happier times: The musician spoke exclusively to BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe about how the 'breakdown' of his ten-year-marriage inspired his new album, Ghost Stories 
 
 The musician took part in an hour long interview, which will air on Monday evening, and while he did not mention his estranged wife by name, he spoke about candidly about his love and life. 
 
 
 
 Chris mused: 'I think in life everyone needs to be broken in some way. 
 
 
 
 'I think everyone in their life goes through challenges, whether it’s love or money, kids, or illness... You have to really not run away from that stuff. 
 
 
 
 'Life throws these colorful challenges at you … what we decided to do on Ghost Stories was to really be honest about it and say, this is what’s been happening.' 
 
 Hard to love: Chris revealed that his inability to let in love has caused problems in his life 
 
 
 
 
 
 Speaking about his new single Magic, Chris explained: 'It’s about saying this person is really awesome and is magic, and of course certain parts of it have to change because that’s life but not everything has to be black or white or clear cut and that’s okay. 
 
 
 
 'It’s not a question of you either really love someone or you really hate someone, its more nuanced than that - especially with the modern world’s complications – like travelling and all the stuff that come to life, and illness and addiction and all that sort of thing. 
 
 
 
 While the video sees Chris saving a damsel from an unhappy relationship, Chris said: 'It’s just saying - ultimately there is magic between two people no matter what anyone else thinks.' 
 
 
 
 The couple, who were considered one of Hollywood's most solid partnerships, stunned the showbiz world when they confirmed their split less than two months ago on March 25. 
 
 
 
 Conscious uncoupling: Gwyneth and Chris are parents to Apple, eight, and Moses, six 
 
 
 
 The interview also saw Chris reveal his admiration for pop boyband One Direction. 
 
 
 
 Chris admitted: 'I think One Direction are the biggest band in the world, their songs are great. 
 
 'I’m saying One Direction are brilliant and I’m not kidding. You know why? Because their songs are really good and I don’t think that any of them are going to go solo. I think they appreciate their chemistry from watching their movie. 
 
 
 
 He spoke candidly about his appreciation of Harry Styles as he added: 'Harry has come to a couple of our shows, I think I probably said the same thing about chemistry. 
 
 
 
 'I can’t remember - I was too enamored with his hair cut. I was like this: ‘I was pretty sure I was a straight guy before’ - I was having a hot flush.' 
 
 He also shared his admiration for Kanye West. 
 
 
 
 'That guy is amazing and I think he is misunderstood by people who only look on the surface. I understand what he is talking about and I understand what he means.' 
 
 ||||| One month after his dramatic split from actress Gwyneth Paltrow, singer Chris Martin is opening up about the end of his marriage. 
 
 The Coldplay frontman, 37, sat down with BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe for an extended interview about his band's new album, his thoughts on One Direction, and his very public private life. 
 
 PHOTOS: Biggest splits of 2014 
 
 "I wouldn't use the word breakdown," Martin told Lowe about the dissolution of his marriage. "This was more a realization about trying to grow up basically… if you can't open yourself up, you can't appreciate the wonder inside. So you can be with someone very wonderful, but because of your own issues you cannot let that be celebrated in the right way." 
 
 Martin and Paltrow, 41, announced the end of their 11-year marriage in a blog post on Paltrow's lifestyle website, Goop, on March 25. The pair titled the post "Conscious Uncoupling," and wrote, "It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate." Sources told Us Weekly that the end of the marriage was sparked by clashes over parenting strategies, disagreements over plans for the family, and even the strain of Paltrow's strict dietary rules. Tensions also escalated over ongoing rumors of infidelity. 
 
 PHOTOS: Chris and Gwyneth through the years 
 
 The Grammy winner, who is the father to two children with Paltrow, continued to Lowe: "What changed for me was, I don't want to go through life being scared of it, being scared of love, being scared of rejection, being scared of failure… About two years ago I was a mess really because I can't enjoy the thing that we are good at and I can't enjoy the great things around me because I'm burdened by this -- I've got to not blame anyone else and make some changes." 
 
 Martin went on to elaborate on his own issues, saying, "Up to a certain point in my life I wasn't completely vulnerable and it caused some problems. If you don't let love really in then you can't really give it back." 
 
 PHOTOS: Gwyneth's bikini body 
 
 The sit-down was also a chance for the musician to plug Coldplay's latest album Ghost Stories. The project is due out May 19.
– A few quotes from Chris Martin's new interview with BBC's Radio 1, airing tonight, are being touted as his first public explanation of his "conscious uncoupling" from Gwyneth Paltrow ... but we really have no clue what he's saying. (E!, for example, points out that he doesn't directly mention Gwyneth, but it's "easy to read between the lines.") Want to try and decipher it yourself? Here are the relevant lines: "About two years ago I was a mess really because I can't enjoy the thing that we are good at and I can't enjoy the great things around me because I'm burdened by this. I've got to not blame anyone else and make some changes. I wouldn’t use the word breakdown, this was more a realization about trying to grow up basically." "If you can't open yourself up, you can’t appreciate the wonder inside. So you can be with someone very wonderful, but because of your own issues you cannot let that be celebrated in the right way. What changed for me was—I don't want to go through life being scared of it, being scared of love, being scared of rejection, being scared of failure. Up to a certain point in my life I wasn't completely vulnerable and it caused some problems. If you don’t let love really in then you can’t really give it back." "[The single 'Magic' is] about saying this person is really awesome and is magic, and of course certain parts of it have to change because that's life but not everything has to be black or white or clear cut and that’s OK. It’s not a question of you either really love someone or you really hate someone, it's more nuanced than that." The consensus seems to be that Martin is taking the blame. Sample headlines: Daily Mail: "Chris Martin reveals how his own personal issues contributed to 'conscious uncoupling' from Gwyneth Paltrow" New York Daily News: "Chris Martin says he's to blame for separation from Gwyneth Paltrow" Jezebel: "Chris Martin Says Conscious Uncoupling From Gwyneth Was All His Fault" PopSugar: "Chris Martin Blames His 'Own Issues' For Gwyneth Paltrow Split" Us: "Chris Martin on Gwyneth Paltrow Split: My 'Own Issues' Contributed to End of Marriage"