TBF I'd be more inclined to believe the ginger hadn't fucked the ostrich than had. It's like that old Richard Gere gerbil situation, everyone thought it was true but it was bullshit...people love bullshit.
Can you not get into a joint account if you're separated? Does the bank really care if you're married or not? I've had joint accounts before with my parents and even with a friend once and marriage never came up. Don't they only care who's authorised on the account?