Olivia Attwood has shared her feelings about the pace of her new relationship with Pete Wicks, admitting she worried she was "moving too fast" as she processed her "awful" split from ex-husband Bradley Dack.
Attwood, 35, confirmed her relationship with Wicks, 37, last month, after beginning to date the longtime friend earlier this year. The presenter and footballer Bradley Dack ended their marriage following claims of his infidelity. Sources indicated that the sale of their shared £1 million home suggested a prolonged period of difficulty in their relationship.
Speaking about her romance with Wicks, Attwood described it as "unexpected," noting a rapid transition "from platonic to non-platonic very quickly." She praised Wicks for being "extremely intelligent and compassionate and patient, all the things I desperately needed but didn't know I needed."
Attwood told The Times that despite friends advising her to "stay single" or "go on dates" after her split, she felt that shutting down possibilities with Wicks would mean missing a connection she had with him. "If I shut things down with Pete I'd only be dating people to find the connection I have with him," she stated.
Personal Reflections on Family
In addition to her new relationship, Attwood also reflected on the prospect of starting a family. She has come to terms with the possibility that she may not have children, stating, "I could also see it not being part of my story. I'm at peace with that. You can't have everything. So many parts of my life have worked out so much better than I could ever imagine."
Previous Relationship and Public Commentary
News of Attwood's relationship with Wicks emerged around the same time that Dack was reportedly seen rekindling his relationship with ex-partner Emily Maloney. Attwood publicly reacted to photographs of Dack and Maloney, making scathing social media posts where she referred to Maloney as Bradley's "bit on the side" and a "professional benchwarmer." Attwood suggested these photos confirmed her suspicions about their relationship.
Attwood also addressed her decision not to legally bind her marriage to Dack. Despite having a televised wedding ceremony in 2023, the couple did not sign legal papers. Attwood explained this decision was made due to experiencing "teething issues" shortly after the wedding. She recounted advice from her sister, who suggested that if the situation were reversed, a man making a similar decision would be commended for protecting his assets. Attwood stated, "I did the same thing and they wanted to burn me at the f****** stake. Where would I be now [if we had signed?] It's been hard enough untangling our lives."
She described her relationship with Dack as living in a "grey area" for years, attributing it to being "blinded by the love." The turning point, she explained, was when another woman informed her that Dack had returned to a previous partner. This revelation, which occurred after a 12-year relationship, led Attwood to end things in January, stating, "There was nowhere left for him to hide. As soon as I knew it had happened to me, I couldn't stay. The only person I would be cheating is myself."