Reality television star Olivia Attwood has openly discussed the possibility of leaving the United Kingdom entirely in the wake of her separation from footballer husband Bradley Dack. The 34-year-old television presenter, who fronts the brand new ITV2 culinary competition series The Heat, revealed during a recent interview that she could envision herself relocating to Barcelona, Spain, where the show was filmed.
Sunny Spain Beckons After Rainy UK Days
When directly questioned about whether she would contemplate moving abroad, Olivia Attwood responded with surprising candour. "I would actually, yes - after constant days of rain. To be honest, I would consider it," she stated, hinting at the appeal of Spain's warmer climate compared to Britain's notoriously damp weather. This revelation comes just months after she confirmed her separation from Bradley Dack in January, following two years of marriage and reports that he had "breached" her trust.
New Show Focus Amid Personal Turmoil
Despite acknowledging struggles with the split on social media after moving into a London apartment alone, the self-described workaholic has channeled her energy into the launch of The Heat. Reflecting on her eventful start to the year, Olivia remarked, "I feel like I've been absolutely milking the life out of this year so far. Could I do any more launch parties? It's all I do." She expressed genuine excitement about the new programme, describing it as "the perfect mix between reality and competition" that will fill "that Love Island-shaped hole in people's lives - and then some."
Behind-the-Scenes Romances and Revelations
The former Love Island contestant disclosed that romantic connections developed among the cast of aspiring chefs featured on The Heat, particularly during their downtime away from the high-pressure kitchen environment overseen by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, 65. "Romances did form and when I last checked in, some of them are still talking and dating, so things did develop - not for everyone," Olivia explained. She added with amusement, "I know they talked about a desire to have sex, but whether it happened or not… some of the cast members are quite cheeky and they made no secret about wanting a hot summer."
From Reality Star to Reality Show Mentor
Having found fame on Love Island in 2017 and subsequently appearing on programmes like TOWIE and Celebs Go Dating, Olivia Attwood believes she occupies a "unique" position to offer guidance to contestants on The Heat. However, she clarified that her advice does not extend to culinary matters. "I didn't give them any cooking advice - I left that to Jean-Christophe," she said. Instead, she emphasised the importance of fully embracing the reality television experience. "You have to give yourself to the process. You're in it now, so you may as well jump in with both feet and try to enjoy it."
Impressed by Contestants' Work Ethic
Olivia expressed profound admiration for the professional chefs competing on The Heat, noting their impressive dedication compared to her own younger years. "The ages of some of the contestants - they are so impressive compared to how I was at that age," she observed. "They are real chefs, they all have kitchen experience, they are ambitious, tenacious, driven, talented, they are everything I wasn't at that age." Many contestants have worked in kitchens since their mid-teens, displaying resilience and drive that Olivia found compelling.
Personal Preferences and Culinary Confessions
As a newly single, party-loving television personality, Olivia Attwood freely admits she feels more comfortable near a bar than in a kitchen. Yet, contrary to some assumptions, she possesses basic cooking skills. "At home, I am Victoria Beckham coded. I could eat the same thing every day," she described her routine preferences. "My comfort zone in the restaurant was by the bar, that's where I feel most at home, shaking a little cocktail or two."
She elaborated, "I can cook, I probably wouldn't want to cook for Jean Christophe, but I can make a spag bol, a roast dinner, I've got some skills but it's nothing fancy." Addressing perceptions about her culinary abilities, she joked, "People think that I can't cook at all because I'm a bit Carrie Bradshaw coded with sweaters in the oven, I could just use it as storage because I'm probably not going to turn it on - but I can when push comes to shove."
The Heat continues its broadcast schedule, airing tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and the ITVX streaming platform, offering viewers a blend of high-stakes culinary competition and behind-the-scenes personal dynamics.
