Inside Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne’s marriage woes – and when it started to unravel (Image: jacjossa/Instagram)
Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne’s marriage reached “breaking point” at Christmas, as the pair spent time apart. The couple confirmed their split at the weekend, after tying the knot eight years ago.
One source says their relationship had been struggling “for months” and that it reached a head in December. “Jacqueline and Dan’s marriage had been on the rocks for a while,” they said. “The cracks really started to appear at the end of last year and they reached breaking point at Christmas. At a time when most people are spending it with their closest and dearest, that wasn’t the case for them.” Spending the festive period with her family, Jacqueline, 32, was pictured with daughters Ella, nine, and Mia, six, in a snap posted my mum Selina – but there was no sign of Dan, 33.
Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osbourne confirmed their split earlier this week
The source said: “When that picture was posted, eyebrows were raised. People were asking ‘Where’s Dan?’ “They tried to make their marriage work but in the end it just was a bridge too far. Now they’re trying to navigate their separation and what that means for their children.”
It also appeared there was no love lost between Dan as his mother-in-law Selina, who has unfollowed him on Instagram, after appearing to previously be on friendly terms.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info
The EastEnders actress and the TOWIE star issued a joint statement this week to confirm their split. It said: “Jacqueline and Dan are handling things privately, choosing to keep their lives and relationship out of the public eye. They kindly ask for respect and privacy as they navigate this together.
“Their children remain their top priority, surrounded by love and care from both parents — something that will never change. Above all, Jacqueline and Dan have each other’s and their children’s best interests at heart. There will be no further comment.”
Jacqueline with her family at Christmas. Sources say Dan was absent as cracks in their marriage grew
Over the years, Jacqueline and Dan’s relationship has been in the spotlight. The pair began dating in 2013 and married in 2017. It hasn’t been a drama free union. As well as spilt rumours, the pair have been dogged by cheating allegations, most namely in 2018 when Dan was seen with Gabby Allen on a yacht together, with both of them denying that anything had ever happened between them. The pair were on Celebrity Big Brother together in 2018.
Following her stint in I’m A Celebrity back in 2019, which she went on to win, Jacqueline planned to “restart” their relationship after admitting she had given her then-husband “two years of hell” over the allegations. Dan later issued a statement following that interview, where he said some of the allegations were “true” and some were “very untrue” and vowed to be the best husband he could be.
Dan and Gabby in CBB together in 2018(Image: Supplied by WENN)
It’s been reported that their marriage was put under strain after Dan bought a house last year without telling Jacqueline until the final stages.
In January Jacqueline’s reps denied the pair had split when approached by the Mirror. The following day a source told The Sun that: ”Jacqueline and Dan are both shocked, hurt and upset about the rumours of a split. Yes, it’s true they are selling their house, but that doesn’t mean they’re not together.”
Jacqueline, who plays Lauren Branning on the BBC1 soap, was this spotted without her wedding ring following her split as she headed out to the gym in Essex.