Josh Duhmel wants wife Fergie to distance from Black Eyed Peas

Josh Duhamel is reportedly urging his wife Fergie to distance herself from her band The Black Eyed Peas, and in particular, her powerhouse bandmate will.i.am.

A source told Radar Online that the actor is pushing hard for Fergie to make a much cleaner and clearer break from The Black-Eyed Peas so that she can re-invent herself as a solo artist without the looming specter of will.i.am influencing every creative decision she makes.

According to the pal, 38-year-old Fergie, who had her first child with Duhamel last year, has long struggled with confidence issues away from the group and their music.

She hasn't produced much solo material since her hot-selling solo debut from 2006.

The source added that Duhamel is her biggest fan and he's getting a lot more assertive and interested in Fergie's business, and wants to drive a more permanent wedge between her and will.i.am.

Although Fergie recently told Ryan Seacrest that will.i.am will be handling the production of her second solo album, the source said Fergie is now agreeing with Duhamel that she should break from her bandmate.