Olivia Attwood and Pete Wicks Spark Romance Rumors After Bradley Dack Breakup
Olivia Attwood, the 34-year-old television presenter, is reportedly engaged in a secret romance with Pete Wicks, a 37-year-old podcaster, according to insider sources. This revelation comes just two months after Olivia's highly publicized split from her footballer husband, Bradley Dack, whom she had known for a decade.
Steamy Kiss in London Restaurant Fuels Speculation
The pair were photographed sharing a passionate kiss at a London restaurant over the weekend, clearly indicating that their long-standing friendship has evolved into something more intimate. Olivia and Bradley Dack had rekindled a past romance after her appearance on Love Island in 2017, culminating in their marriage in 2023. However, their relationship deteriorated after a really bad summer, with sources citing a breach of trust on Bradley's part as the catalyst for their separation.
Insiders Detail the Hidden Relationship Dynamics
Since the breakup, Olivia has found solace in her close friendship with Pete Wicks, her co-star from The Only Way Is Essex. A source from Closer Magazine disclosed that Olivia has always been drawn to Pete and carried a torch for him. The insider elaborated on their clandestine affair, stating, The secrecy has made it exciting, and they've spent a lot of time together – they love nights in watching movies together. They further described the couple's dynamic, noting, Olivia is quite dramatic and intense, whereas Pete is very laid back, but somehow it works.
Romance Ignited at the Brit Awards
According to reports from The Sun, Olivia and Pete's romance began at the Brit Awards in February, where they later stayed at the same hotel. Another source clarified that their relationship only started in recent weeks, emphasizing, Their passionate romance only started in the last few weeks, since she has split from Bradley; there was no overlap. The insider portrayed Pete as a shoulder to cry on for Olivia during what was described as a really horrible breakup.
They added, They have got closer and Pete has held a torch for Olivia for a really long time. She is hurting and vulnerable, and he was in the right place at the right time. They get on really well and are taking it slow; there is no label at the moment.
Bradley Dack's Reaction to the News
Bradley Dack is reportedly embarrassed and livid upon learning about Olivia and Pete's secret romance. Sources indicate that he had been hopeful for a reconciliation with Olivia, but this development has dashed those hopes. An insider stated, Bradley is livid, he's not surprised at all but is completely embarrassed and upset. He can't believe Olivia has moved on so publicly and they've not even signed the divorce papers. Bradley was hopeful for a reunion with Olivia but after this, he's just livid and will take her to the cleaners. The tabloid also reported that Bradley had suspected something between Olivia and Pete for the past year, though she had consistently denied any romantic involvement.
History of Olivia and Pete's Friendship
Olivia and Pete first met on The Only Way Is Essex in 2017 and have maintained a close friendship since, even co-hosting a radio show on KISS FM. Signs of their budding romance were evident as early as September last year, when they were photographed looking cozy together on a holiday in Ibiza. Images showed Olivia lying in Pete's arms while sunbathing on a luxury yacht. At the time, both insisted they were merely friends, with Pete expressing discomfort at the public's misinterpretation of their innocent cuddle.
Following the publication of these photos, Olivia opened up about the tension in her marriage on her podcast, stating, I think that there was stuff going on on both sides.... At the end of day, marriage is really f***ing hard. A month later, it was revealed that she and Bradley had parted ways, a decision that had never been an option until now. A source described Olivia as heartbroken, noting the deep intertwining of their families after a long relationship.
Background on Olivia and Bradley's Relationship
Olivia first met Bradley Dack, a midfielder, in 2015 through mutual friends during a night out. They dated intermittently for a year before things fizzled out, leading Olivia to join Love Island in an act of revenge against her cheating ex. She finished in third place with Chris Hughes, later splitting from him in March 2018 and rekindling her romance with Bradley. They married five years later, but fans soon noticed strains in their marriage, particularly after the Ibiza photos and Bradley's absence from her social media posts.
Olivia addressed these concerns at the time, saying, He's alive, I swear. 10 years of us. A lot has changed. Marriage is frikinnn hard (no one wants to say that part out loud), and I'm just not a faker. I'm not posting pictures if they don't reflect our reality. We are doing our thing, and if there are any more updates, you will be the first to know.
Pete Wicks's Romantic History
Prior to his involvement with Olivia, Pete Wicks had several high-profile relationships. He dated The Only Way Is Essex castmates Jess Wright and Verity Chapman, both of which were short-lived. His relationship with Jess ended after she drunkenly kissed castmate Lewis Bloor. Pete's most notable romance was with Megan McKenna, lasting a year and a half in 2016 before ending amid accusations of him sexting an ex. He was also linked to Strictly Come Dancing professional Jowita Przystal in 2024, shocking fans with a passionate kiss during a live appearance at the O2 Arena. Other brief flings include connections to EastEnders star Danielle Harold and former Love Island star Maura Higgins.
Olivia's Feud with Maura Higgins
In a related development, Olivia recently accused Maura Higgins of copying her career, allegedly describing her as a stalker to friends. This came after Maura shared an Instagram photo with Parisian fashion influencer Michael Coste, just days after Olivia had done the same. A source commented, Olivia is obviously going through a lot at the moment and trying to piece her life back together, but she has been left bemused that Maura has continued to mirror her playbook. She even jokes with her friends that Maura is her stalker. There is no love lost between them and they have become very skilled at ignoring each other on the red carpet and at parties. Olivia is just amazed that these things keep happening, although she knows that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
