Emily Atack’s urged to ‘take a step back from love’

She’s been notoriously open about her love life – speaking out about threesomes with a married couple and her love for bad boys.

But last week, Emily Atack was said to be rattled amid claims she’s secretly been dating England footballer, Jack Grealish – behind his childhood sweetheart Sasha Atwood’s back.

The actress-turned-presenter, 31, was reported to have fallen for the Manchester City star, 26, who was said to be “torn” over whether to dump his 25-year-old girlfriend of 10 years after becoming “besotted” with Emily.

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Pals close to the actress-turned-presenter insisted she thought Jack was single when they were reportedly first introduced by one of his England teammates six weeks ago, as she had previously spotted him on exclusive dating app, Raya.

Some shocked fans weren’t convinced, with one posting, “Believe me, this exposure won’t do her career any good at all”.

And an insider tells Closer that Emily, who’s best-known for playing blonde bombshell Charlotte Hinchcliffe in hit comedy The Inbetweeners, is now worried the scandal could see her get “cancelled”.

A source says, “She’s quite concerned by how it’s all blown up and the backlash surprised her – she’s been worrying that it could damage everything she’s achieved over the years. She’s worked hard, so it’s upsetting that it’s her love life that people are talking about.

“She’s beginning to think she’s jinxed because things never seem to run simply for her with men. Whoever she meets, it always seems to end in disaster or drama.”

The star – who’s previously admitted to struggling to get varied roles due to being typecast as the “hot girl next door” – credited her 2018 stint on I’m A Celebrity! for turning her life around.

After bagging second place, her career blossomed – co-hosting the jungle’s spin-off show Extra Camp in 2019, stepping in as a guest presenter on This Morning and starring in her own ITV2 comedy series, The Emily Atack Show, which saw her dubbed a “strong female role model” as she used it as a platform for women to talk openly about sex.

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In one episode, she admitted to having a threesome with a married couple, adding, “I’m like a bull – red flags drive me wild.”

And the Jack Grealish drama isn’t the first time she’s been thrust into headlines over a cheating scandal.

In 2016, she allegedly enjoyed a secret fling with Strictly Come Dancing star, Seann Walsh, who was reportedly in a long-term relationship with his then-girlfriend, Rebecca Humphries.

She’s had a string of other high-profile romances, too – admitting to briefly dating 1D heart-throb Harry Styles, and being linked to Big Brother hunk Ziggy Lichman and former McFly star Dougie Pointer. She also had a brief romance with her Inbetweeners co-star James Buckley – who played Jay – and was said to be “furious” when she was left out of the show’s 2019 reunion after James – who was single at the time of their romance – feared his new wife would find out about it.

Emily split from her most recent boyfriend, model and entrepreneur Jude Taylor, in August after five months of dating.

Yet the unlucky-in-love star has admitted to being desperate to settle down. In 2019, she said, “I’ve always wanted to be a mum. People who actually know me know it’s something I’ve wanted. I’ve got a lot of love in my heart.”

Closer’s psychological therapist, Emma Kenny, says that, after another dramatic romance, it would be in Emily’s best interest to take a step back and work on building up her inner self instead.

“Often when somebody keeps getting involved in relationships that are not positive for them, it’s because their self-esteem is quite fractured, says Emma. “So, while Emily seems very confident on the surface, the confidence is likely given to her by the validation of others.

“It’s possible she’s just got caught up in the flattery and excitement of a blossoming romance with Jack.

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“Sometimes, when someone is keen to settle down and have the perfect relationship, they end up clutching at straws and falling for the wrong person. It may be wise for her to take a step back from trying to find love to concentrate on herself – especially as she is still fresh from the end of her relationship with Jude. And, with her career going so well, she could do without distractions of dramas like the one she’s caught up in now.

“She hasn’t had much luck with men in the past, so maybe having a break from dating will allow her to rediscover herself and her needs, and that would lead her to find someone who is perfect for her and treats her in the way she deserves – with loyalty and kindness.”