Nigella Lawson reportedly does not plan to return home to her husband Charles Saatchi.

The 53-year old food writer and broadcaster left last week after the release of photos of her husband art collector grabbing her by the throat. 

Lawson has apparently told friends that she is "not some sort of battered wife"and that she would like to work on her marriage, according to the Daily Mail. However, Lawson is staying in an apartment in Mayfair, London, and reportedly does not have plans to return to the Chelsea home she shares with Saatchi, the publication reported.

Lawson would not have left her husband had the photos of Saatchi grabbing her not been published, a friend of Lawson's reportedly said.

"She feels that if he would look at getting some sort of help, anger management or therapy then they can work at rebuilding their relationship. As in any marriage, there are issues and problems that arise, and he is under a huge amount of pressure and stress," Lawson's friend said.

"Nigella feels her hand has been forced. She would not have left if the incident had stayed private," Lawson's friend added.

Photos of Saatchi putting his hands on his wife's throat surfaced on Monday, June 17. Eyewitnesses alleged the 53-year-old Nigella Bites star left the restaurant in tears.

A rep spoke on Lawson's behalf and confirmed that Lawson "left the house" she shared with her husband of nine years, according to E!

Saatchi, 70, accepted a caution for assault following the release of photos of the choking incident outside Scott's Restaurant in Mayfair, London. A caution is a "penalty notice" issued to individuals who admit to a minor offense, according to the UK government. It can be used as an example of bad character if a person later goes to court for another crime. Saatchi voluntarily met with officials Monday, June 17 and said that the fight was not serious and that he and his wife were having a "playful tiff."

"About a week ago, we were sitting outside a restaurant having an intense debate about the children, and I held Nigella's neck repeatedly while attempting to emphasize my point," Saatchi said.

"There was no grip, it was a playful tiff," he said.

The couple were married in 2003. Lawson and her son and daughter from her marriage to journalist John Diamond, who died of cancer in 2001, left to stay in the Mayfair apartment.

Saatchi's daughter from a previous marriage also shared the home in Chelsea with Saatchi, Lawson and her two children.

Tags: Nigella Lawson Charles Saatchi Nigella Bites