John Whaite and his fiancé Paul Atkins split after 15 years together, following Whaite's stint on Strictly Come Dancing last year. The couple, who met on Facebook in 2008, spent time apart after Whaite admitted to falling in love with his dance partner, Johannes Radebe.
Whaite revealed that after the show, Atkins moved back in with his parents while he “sat on the patio, drinking bottle after bottle of sauvignon blanc”. However, the pair eventually reconciled and are now preparing to get married, with Whaite stating that “growing apart” has strengthened their relationship.
The Great British Bake Off winner opened up about his feelings, saying he “fell in love” with Johannes Radebe, with whom he formed the first male same-sex pairing on the show. “I still love Johannes,” Whaite told The Times. “We had such similar stories growing up – the homophobia, the bullying, coming out, coming to terms with our sexuality.” Whaite was open with Atkins throughout, stating “he deserved to understand how I was feeling”.
Whaite and Radebe reached the final of the competition but were beaten by Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice. Since the show, Whaite and Radebe only speak occasionally, a sacrifice Whaite said he made for his relationship with Atkins.
The couple have implemented a new rule to keep their bond strong: phone chargers are kept away from the bedroom to encourage morning cuddles, though Whaite admitted the rule “is slowly dying out”.
