Olivia Attwood's Emotional Statement Reveals Depth of Marital Struggles
The recent separation announcement from former Love Island star Olivia Attwood and her footballer husband Bradley Dack has taken a revealing turn, with new details suggesting the couple's marital difficulties have been brewing for an extended period. Attwood, aged thirty-four, publicly confirmed their split last weekend, prompting immediate changes including unfollowing Dack on Instagram and relocating to her own London flat.
Heartfelt Social Media Post Hints at Prolonged Distress
Breaking her silence on Saturday, Olivia shared an emotional statement that provided significant insight into the timeline of their relationship breakdown. In her candid post, she confessed to her followers that she has been crying herself to sleep for a 'long time', strongly indicating that the separation is not a recent development. Her words painted a picture of private suffering masked by public normalcy.
She wrote vulnerably: 'I keep opening Instagram to post but I don't know what to say or do? Vulnerability is not my bag!!! Especially on social media, it feels very much like bleeding in shark infested waters. I cry myself to sleep, then business as normal when the alarm goes off at 5am and it has been like that for a long time.'
Attwood continued, expressing the unexpected nature of her current situation: 'But also so much change in such a short amount of time. I never expected to be moving into this apartment alone. And I'm in over my depth for sure. I want to be happy. I want Brad to be happy. Just one day at a time.'
Visible Signs and Conflicting Narratives
Observers have noted that Olivia has been seen without her wedding ring on multiple public occasions since the separation announcement, including during her recent appearance on Loose Women. Reports suggest she has barely worn the ring since October, while Bradley Dack has consistently kept his on. This visible discrepancy has fueled speculation about the state of their relationship prior to the official announcement.
Initial reports claimed the marriage ended after the footballer 'crossed a line' and 'breached her trust', but friends of Bradley Dack have presented a more complex picture. Speaking to the Daily Mail, a close friend of the thirty-two-year-old footballer revealed his frustration at being portrayed as the sole villain in their separation.
The friend stated: 'He's angry and hurt that all the blame is being put on him. Olivia is making him out to be the bad guy but it's not as simple as that. He is being accused by her people in a carefully orchestrated PR campaign of crossing a line and breaching trust, but there has been bad behaviour from her during their time together too. It's not all one-sided.'
Friends Claim Mutual Responsibility in Marriage Breakdown
According to those close to Bradley Dack, the marital problems have been ongoing for 'quite some time', with both parties sharing responsibility for the relationship's deterioration. The friend elaborated: 'There have been a lot of problems going on in the marriage for quite a time and they've both got a part to play in that. If there has been a breach of trust, then that's not just down to him.'
Another friend highlighted the disparity in public support between the two, noting: 'Olivia is a big name, she's got a TV show and other people backing her. Bradley has just got his family and pals. It's not been easy for him but he's doing all right given what's going on.'
Separate Lives and Career Contrasts
The practical aftermath of the separation has seen Olivia Attwood move out of their central London apartment while Bradley Dack, who plays for League Two side Gillingham, has been spending increased time with his parents in Kent. This geographical separation mirrors the growing distance in their professional lives.
Olivia's career continues to flourish with prominent roles on ITV programmes including Loose Women and This Morning, alongside her own shows and a weekly radio spot. She has even received multiple offers from US television executives, indicating potential international expansion. In contrast, Bradley Dack's football career has faced challenges in recent years due to injuries following spells at Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.
Social Media Clues and Personal Reflections
Since the separation announcement, Olivia has shared telling content on social media, including a video of Angelina Jolie offering advice about 'going through a hard time'. The actress urged viewers to 'go right through it' and 'feel everything', suggesting Attwood is processing her emotions publicly.
She also gave followers the first glimpse of her new London flat, posting a selfie with the caption '2026.. a new home in the city I was born in' and an emotional video showing her empty living room. This represents a significant change from her previous base in Cheshire with Bradley Dack.
The couple's relationship history adds further context to their current situation. They first met in 2015, but after discovering Bradley had cheated early in their romance, Olivia decided to sign up for Love Island in 2017 where she found fame. Following her brief relationship with co-star Chris Hughes, she and Bradley reconciled, with him proposing during a romantic Dubai getaway in 2019.
As both individuals navigate this challenging period, Olivia Attwood's emotional revelations and the conflicting accounts from friends suggest a complex and prolonged marital breakdown rather than a sudden separation. The public nature of their split continues to unfold through social media statements, visible symbols like wedding rings, and statements from those close to both parties.
