Mother Nature sometimes takes her toll on our homes, and for Love Island's Liam Reardon and his family, December 2024 marked one of those harrowing instances. With the extreme weather sweeping across parts of the UK, Merthyr Tydfil, where Reardon lived, faced the devastating consequences of heavy rainfall and storm damage. The aftermath left Reardon and his family grappling with the reality of losing their home to a two-meter-deep sinkhole.
Reardon, popular for his stint on Love Island, shared the shocking incident with fans via his podcast, The Liam and Millie Podcast, recalling the moment the ground beneath their feet quite literally began to crumble. "I had driven over the area just hours earlier without any hint of danger," he explained. That reality shattered when neighbors began shouting warnings at him and his family over breakfast, urging them to evacuate the house as the earth gave way.
Reflecting on the dangerous turn of events, Liam recalled, "You could hear the thumping of the ground just disappearing. It felt surreal, almost like we were in a movie." Echoing those sentiments, Millie Court, his podcast co-host and girlfriend, chimed in with laughter mingled with disbelief, noting how difficult it was for friends to believe the astonishing situation their beloved reality star found himself, jokingly comparing it to something out of Hollywood.
The catastrophic sinkhole measured around 60 feet wide, consuming not just their garden but also threatening homes surrounding Reardon's residence. Local authorities reported the likely cause stemmed from damage to underground water pipes exacerbated by Storm Bert, which wreaked havoc just days prior. This unfortunate situation prompted the evacuation of approximately 30 homes, as safety became the priority for all residents nearby the growing sinkhole.
After the upheaval, Liam mentioned, “We had to pack and leave; there was no other choice. Thankfully, no injuries occurred, which is the most important thing, but it’s caused significant stress leading up to Christmas.” The couple quickly transitioned from their home to temporary accommodation, residing at an Airbnb, and Joe reliably found himself dealing with the emotional chaos produced among his family and their pets.
During the stressful time, Liam expressed concerns for their dogs who were left disoriented, unsure of where they were living and why their daily life had suddenly become altered. "Dolly, our dog, has spent her entire life at our old house. Now she’s just as confused as the rest of us," he lamented. With moments of gentle humor sprinkled through his storytelling, he added, "She’s had little accidents, adjusting to the craziness of it all. I’ve been cleaning up after her, trying to make sense of this whirlwind myself!"
Meanwhile, Merthyr council took immediate action, dispatching heavy machinery to help stabilize the surrounding area. Three cranes were deployed to manage the risk following the landslide incidents, with local city planning urging residents not to return home until deemed safe. Many are left wondering how long it might take the recovery to stabilize—especially with Christmas fast approaching.
For now, Liam and Millie are enmeshed in the dilemma of finding new housing, grappling with being temporarily homeless as they sift through where to go next. “This is tough—like nothing we ever expected,” Reardon remarked, underscoring the emotional weight resting on their shoulders. By sharing the saga on his podcast, he aims to keep fans updated and cultivate transparency about the trials they are enduring.
Despite the distressing nature of the incident, Reardon remains optimistic. His character, sharpened through experiences of fame and reality TV, shines through as he recounts each moment with clarity and humor. "It’s frustrating, but we’ll get through this together,” he expressed it with resolve. "At least we have the love and support of our friends and family, and that's what’s most important regardless of the bricks and mortar!"
The community of Merthyr Tydfil is now facing the long road to recovery, as assessments are set to begin on the most significantly affected areas to mitigate future risks. Meanwhile, residents are rallying together to support families like Liam's through fundraising and community outreach efforts—helping them regain a sense of stability and normality amid the chaos.
By putting their experiences out front, Liam and Millie inspire others facing similar situations to embrace the community's strength, reminding them they don’t have to tough it out alone. Although their 2024 started with upheaval, it also heralds new beginnings and experiences, forged through shared challenges and collective resilience.
