Olivia Attwood and Pete Wicks have officially confirmed their romance, hard-launching their relationship on Instagram earlier this week. The 35-year-old presenter and 37-year-old podcaster shared a series of photos cuddled up in Ibiza, with Wicks captioning the post: 'I guess someone has to go first…IBIZA'.
Timing of the Relationship
The announcement comes six months after Attwood's split from footballer husband Bradley Dack, whom she had known for a decade. The couple, who rekindled a past romance after Attwood's appearance on Love Island in 2017, married in 2023. However, following 'a really bad summer,' their marriage fell apart, with sources citing 'a breach of trust' on Dack's part.
According to The Sun, Attwood and Wicks struck up their romance at the Brit Awards in February, where they later stayed at the same hotel. Another source clarified: 'Their passionate romance only started in the last few weeks, since she has split from Bradley; there was no overlap.'
Insider Insights
A source told Closer Magazine that Attwood has 'always been drawn to Pete' and 'carried a torch for him.' 'The secrecy has made it exciting, and they've spent a lot of time together – they love nights in watching movies together,' the insider added. Noting that the pair 'can't keep their hands off each other,' they described the dynamic: 'Olivia is quite dramatic and intense, whereas Pete is very laid back, but somehow it works.'
The Sun's insider described Wicks as 'a shoulder to cry on' for Attwood during 'a really horrible breakup.' They added: 'They have got closer and Pete has held a torch for Olivia for a really long time. She is hurting and vulnerable, and he was in the right place at the right time. They get on really well and are taking it slow; there is no label at the moment.'
Bradley Dack's Reaction
According to The Sun, Dack is reportedly 'embarrassed' by the news. A source said: 'Bradley is livid, he's not surprised at all but is completely embarrassed and upset. He can't believe Olivia has moved on so publicly and they've not even signed the divorce papers. Bradley was hopeful for a reunion with Olivia but after this, he's just livid and will take her to the cleaners.' The tabloid reported that Dack had 'suspected things for the last year,' but Attwood had always denied anything romantic between her and Wicks.
History of Attwood and Wicks
Attwood and Wicks first met on Towie in 2017 and have been close friends ever since, even hosting a radio show together on KISS FM. Signs of their feelings were visible from September last year, when they were pictured looking cosy together on holiday in Ibiza, with Attwood lying in his arms on a luxury yacht. At the time, they maintained they were only 'friends,' with Wicks saying he 'felt sick' at the thought of people misconstruing the innocent cuddle.
After those pictures were published, and with Attwood reportedly in 'the doghouse' with Dack, she opened up about tension in her marriage on her podcast: 'I think that there was stuff going on on both sides…. At the end of day, marriage is really f***ing hard.' A month later, The Sun revealed that Attwood and Dack had parted ways, which had 'never been an option until now.'
Attwood's Relationship Timeline
Attwood first met Dack in 2015 through mutual friends. They dated on and off for a year before things fizzled out, with Attwood heading to the Love Island villa in an act of revenge against her 'cheating ex.' She finished in third place with Chris Hughes. After splitting from Hughes in March 2018, she and Dack rekindled their romance and married five years later.
Fans had long spotted signs of strain in their marriage, with many questioning the Ibiza pics and Dack's absence from her Instagram grid. Attwood said at the time: 'He's alive, I swear. 10 years of us. A lot has changed. Marriage is frikinnn hard (no one wants to say that part out loud), and I'm just not a faker.'
Pete Wicks' Past Relationships
Prior to Attwood, Wicks dated Towie castmates Jess Wright and Verity Chapman, both short-lived. His most high-profile relationship was with Megan McKenna, whom he dated for a year and a half in 2016 before breaking up amid accusations of 'sexting' an ex. He was also linked to Strictly Come Dancing professional Jowita Przystal after his 2024 stint on the competition, sharing a passionate kiss with her during a live appearance at the O2 Arena. Other brief romances include links to EastEnders star Danielle Harold and former Love Island star Maura Higgins.
Last month, Attwood accused Maura of 'copying' her career, allegedly describing her as a 'stalker' to friends. This came after Maura shared an Instagram photo with Parisian fashion influencer Michael Coste, only days after Attwood had done the same. A source told The Sun: 'Olivia is obviously going through a lot at the moment and trying to piece her life back together, but she has been left bemused that Maura has continued to mirror her playbook. She even jokes with her friends that Maura is her stalker.'
