Lifestyle

Olivia Attwood Embraces Single Life After Bradley Dack Split

The Love Island star opens up about heartbreak, self-discovery, and her new focus on work and candid conversations following her high-profile separation.

6 min read

Olivia Attwood, the vivacious television personality known for her candid humor and unfiltered takes on life, is stepping into a new chapter—one marked by heartbreak, self-discovery, and a relentless work ethic. Just weeks after confirming her split from footballer husband Bradley Dack, Attwood, 34, has been remarkably open about the emotional turbulence and newfound independence that have defined her early 2026.

The couple’s separation, first reported in January, ended a relationship that spanned over a decade, with its own twists, reconciliations, and public milestones. According to The Sun, the two had been married for just over two years, having finally tied the knot at London’s Bulgari Hotel in 2023 after pandemic delays. But as Attwood revealed on her podcast Olivia’s House on February 20, the fairytale had quietly unraveled. She dropped a pointed hint about her intentions, joking with guest Chris Appleton, “There’s nothing like a marriage to grow an ass, and nothing like a divorce to lose it, right?”—a remark met with laughter, but underscoring the gravity of her situation. She has since moved into a London apartment, adjusting to life alone for the first time in years.

Attwood’s social media has become a window into her emotional state. Earlier in February, she confessed to her followers on Instagram, “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. But also so much change in such a short amount of time (you know I hate that) (Taurus),” she quipped, referencing her star sign’s aversion to upheaval. She added, “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. For both of us. & anyone else who needs to read this.”

Despite the rawness of her posts, Attwood has not shied away from the public eye. In fact, she’s thrown herself into work with renewed vigor, perhaps as a means of coping. Daily Mail highlighted her recent Instagram activity, where she showcased her signature wit and style. On February 20, Attwood posted a series of snaps—posing in a sheer black bra, dyeing her hair, sipping champagne, and snacking on Babybels—as she prepared for a night out. The images, equal parts glamorous and relatable, seemed to strike a chord with her audience. “Champagne and Babybels – you rock!” one admirer commented, echoing the supportive chorus she’s received from fans.

Her night out was more than a mere distraction. It came ahead of the latest episode of her ITV series Getting Filthy Rich, set to air February 22. In a preview for the show, Attwood engaged in an unusually candid conversation with Made In Chelsea’s Olivia Bentley about female sexuality and the pressures women face. Attwood admitted, “I remember when I first started having sex, I never had an orgasm in sex. I never spoke about it because I actually just didn’t know if women were – this is so crazy – but like we were like meant to. And then my friends used to say it and I’d think, ‘are you lying?’” Bentley, founder of the sexual wellness brand JOMO, shared similar concerns, saying, “I realised it was something that had come up a lot with different friends that I’d spoken to, and so I was like, obviously I’m not the only one.”

This openness is nothing new for Attwood. Six months before her split with Dack, she revealed on her podcast that the couple had experienced a mishap involving duct tape during sex—a story she recounted with typical frankness: “Brad tied my arms up with duct tape. And then we had a moment of pure panic when he couldn’t find the end of it. My hands started to turn blue. My hands hurt and then you were like: ‘I can’t find the end!’” The anecdote, while humorous, illustrated the couple’s willingness to experiment and communicate, even as their relationship faced mounting challenges.

The reasons behind the split have been the subject of speculation. Goss.ie reported that the marriage ended after Dack “crossed a line” and “breached her trust,” though neither party has offered specific details. Attwood herself admitted to feeling vulnerable and exposed, writing, “Vulnerability is not my bag!!! Especially on social media, it feels very much like bleeding in shark-infested waters.” Yet, she has continued to update her followers, sharing both the difficulties and small victories of her new single life.

Work, for Attwood, has been both a refuge and a proving ground. Alongside her podcast and her co-hosting duties on KISS FM with Pete Wicks, she has been filming new episodes of The Price Of Perfection in Turkey and preparing for her new ITV2 show The Heat. She’s also celebrating a new collaboration with skincare giant Garnier, having been unveiled as their latest ambassador at a star-studded event at The Newman Hotel. “I have worked too hard for too long to let my professional life suffer. Been a lot of slapping myself round the face and gritting my teeth lol,” she told fans, acknowledging the effort it’s taken to maintain her career momentum amid personal turmoil.

Valentine’s Day, often a fraught occasion for the newly single, was met by Attwood with her trademark humor. “Happy Valentine’s Day my cherubs I love you all so much x. My first Valentines without a boyfriend since I was like 14 years old lol so I took myself shopping obvs,” she wrote, turning what could have been a lonely milestone into a celebration of self-love and resilience.

Her candor about heartbreak, sexuality, and the challenges of starting over has resonated with many—particularly women who see themselves in her struggles and triumphs. As she told her fans, “I want to be happy. I want Brad to be happy. Just one day at a time. For both of us. & anyone else who needs to read this.” For Attwood, the path forward involves honesty, hard work, and a willingness to embrace change, no matter how daunting.

Bradley Dack, for his part, has remained largely silent about the split, reportedly still wearing his wedding ring, while Attwood has removed hers. Their story, with its ups and downs, public confessions, and private heartbreaks, is a reminder that even in the glare of celebrity, the end of a marriage is never simple. But if Attwood’s recent actions are any indication, she’s determined to navigate this new phase with grace, grit, and a little bit of humor—one day at a time.

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