Giggling as she filmed husband Dan Osborne playing with their two daughters last week, Jacqueline Jossa seemed to be enjoying marital bliss as she looks forward to making a fresh start in a new family home this year. It’s a stark contrast to her life during the first lockdown nine months ago, when the I’m A Celeb! winner faced turmoil amid renewed reports that Dan, 29, had been unfaithful.
Jacqueline, 28 – who shares Ella, five, and Mia, two, with Dan –temporarily moved out of the family home, explaining that she needed “breathing space”. She later revealedit gave her a chance to seek therapyand “go through everything” that had happened during their tumultuous seven-year relationship.
It followed multiple claims that Dan had been unfaithful – starting in 2018, when he was accused of cheating on her with Love Island star Gabby Allen, which they both denied. A year later, he was rumoured to have snogged Love Island’s Alexandra Cane, but the pair insisted they were just friends. Dan also denied taking part in a threesome with CBB co-stars Natalie Nunn and Chloe Aylingin 2016.
Jac and Dan put on a united front and he admitted in July that he’d “made mistakes”, but said he and Jac were looking forward to a “clean, fresh start together”. Since then, they’ve appeared happier than ever. Relationship expert Jo Barnett reveals how they’ve turned things around…
Time apart gave them space to re-evaluate
In May, it was rumoured that Dan had been messaging girls online, but Jacqueline slammed reports they were headed for divorce. Instead, she briefly moved out of the family home, telling her social media followers, “I need some time. There is no split. No divorce. We are working together, not against each other.”
Jo says Jacqueline’s move served as the perfect “reset”. She adds, “It gave them both space to re-evaluate if they really wanted to be together. For Jac, it was also important to find her identity again. You can sometimes lose yourself in a relationship, so it was a chance to recharge and throw more energy back into addressing the root of their problems.”
His public apology let them move forward
In December 2019, Dan issued a public apology to Jac after cheating rumours. Taking to Instagram Stories (right), he apologised for his “mistakes”, admitting they “almost cost me my family”. Then in July last year, he revealed he’d taken “full responsibility for being crap”. He added, “I’ve made mistakes, yeah. I’ve done things I shouldn’t have done. Me and Jac have spoken about that and she has forgiven me.”
Jo says his public declaration was vital in allowing them to move forward. She says, “He said sorry, which likely gave her more security and made her feel more comfortable. She’s now got public support. If he puts it out there, he’s going to be held accountable.”
Therapy helped them learn how to cope
Jac turned to counselling last year and described it as “a really good thing”, both for herself and her marriage.
She said, “It really, really helped, especially in terms of communication, teaching us how to talk to one another better. Therapy is a really good thing, whether for yourself or for a couple. I don’t understand why it’s still frowned upon.”
Jo agrees, “Working on yourself is always a good thing. You learn about yourself and learn more about adult behaviours and coping mechanisms, rather than just lashing out at the other person or throwing your toys out of the pram.”
A new home will heal bad memories
In December, Jac revealed the couple’s plans to put their £1m Essex pad on the market and to move house in 2021. She also launched a joint Instagram account, titled
@athomewiththesosbornes, to document her and Dan’s exciting home renovation journey.
Jo says moving home can pave the way for a “fresh start” in a relationship. She explains, “It’s a fresh start, which is really positive and something you’re doing together as a couple. You get to be creative, and put new systems and rules in place. It’s also a chance to get rid of any bad energy that comes from bad experiences or memories in your previous home.”
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Working together has brought them closer
Dan has hinted he’d like to follow in his wife’s footsteps by launching his own clothing line, or even a couple’s collection, telling his followers last week that “fashion is a big passion of mine”. He’s also admitted that he’d “possibly” be up for doing a Keeping Up With The Kardashians-style reality show with Jac.
Jo explains how doing something together like this can strengthen a bond. She says, “It’s great to have that focus and to work on something together,” she explains. “Joint projects will bring them closer. It’s about how they communicate, work together, share the limelight and support each other.”
Check out: Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne's relationship timeline
Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne relationship timeline
2013
After meeting at an awards ceremony, flirtations began when Dan followed Jacqueline on Twitter, later exchanging numbers and heading on a few dates.
2013
Jac was forced to defend Dan and told her followers to "leave him alone" after Dan, then still starring on TOWIE, took co-star Ferne McCann on a date before he and Jac went official.
2014
By the following spring the rumours were confirmed and Dan had confessed his love for Jac on TOWIE, telling his mate Elliot Wright, "I would definitely say I was in love and I don't believe in throwing that word around but I am happier than I've ever been."
2014
Despite only dating for less than a year, in August 2014 they announced they were expecting their first child. Ella was born in February the following year.
2015
In April 2015, months after welcoming Ella, Dan was permanently axed from TOWIE after recordings of him being verbally abusive toward his ex-girlfriend Megan Tomlin, with whom he shares son Teddy, came to light.
2015
The allegations clearly didn't phase Jacqueline, though, who accepted Dan's proposal during a romantic holiday to Greece later that year. Announcing the happy news Dan tweeted, "She said YES!!! ud83dudc8d❤ufe0f"I am the luckiest man in the world to be marrying the woman of my dreams @jacquelineMjos!!! ud83dude0a❤ufe0f".
2017
After a quiet two year engagement, Dan and Jacqueline said "I Do" in front of friends, family, and colleagues at Cheshire Manor House, with Ella and Teddy both playing pivotal roles in the ceremony.
January 2018
The following January, Jacqueline announced they were expecting their second child, but admitted it wasn't all smooth sailing. Speaking exclusively to Closer online later, she said, "The first 16 weeks were horrendous. I was being sick almost every morning!"With Ella - apart from not having periods - I wouldn't have known I was pregnant until I was about six months along. I didn't have a bump and didn't feel any different."
May 2018
Just weeks before welcoming their second daughter, Jacqueline and Dan reportedly split for the first time.Jac tweeted, "No one needs to comment and get involved in things they don't know anything about."Daniel and I are dealing with things privately as a team, there is always 2 sides to every story. Stop with the nasty comments, no one deserves them. Trust me ❤ufe0f privacy please x".
May 2018
The same day, Dan took to his own social media and wrote, "Whenever a relationship goes through tough times etc... why is it always the man that gets stick..?"When in 'public eye', worst part is, the people trying to give me stick etc are people that DO NOT KNOW ME, do not know the situation... so can please piss off… appreciated."Elaborating on his Twitter rant with an interview with the Daily Star, Dan continued, "I left because we were arguing and it is such a waste of energy."The way I look at life is every day spent unhappy is a wasted day, and we were both having a lot of unhappy days."I still obviously care for Jacqueline but if we can't make each other happy then we shouldn't stay together. Life is too short."
June 2018
Jacqueline gave birth to their second daughter, Mia, in June, with a source claiming that they hoped the baby might bring them closer together."They're both besotted with the baby, and introducing her to Ella was a really special moment," claimed the insider."Jacqueline and Dan have been through a lot, but she's told pals she's hoping the new baby will mean a fresh start. They still love each other and want to work at being the best parents they can be. Jacqueline's not ruled out a reunion, but wants their focus to be on Mia and Ella for now."
August 2018
Dan entered the Celebrity Big Brother House alongside Love Islands Gabby Allen, who he'd been previously papped partying with on a yacht. With Jacqueline and Dan then on a 'break', the nation watched through their fingers as Dan and Gabby appeared to get along rather well in the house. They later denied anything had happened between them romantically.
September 2018
Dan seemingly confirmed he and Jac were back together when he posted a loved up selfie of the pair of them, captioning the sweet snap with a simple heart emoji. In November, he said, "Our relationship is better now than it's ever been. Since getting back together, it feels like we're stronger and we appreciate each other so much more."
March 2019
Just months after seemingly getting their relationship back on track, Dan was hit with cheating rumours – this time with another Love Islander, Alexandra Cane, who he reportedly snogged in a nightclub.Both Alex and Dan denied the rumours, with a joint statement saying, "Absolutely nothing happened with Alex – Dan has been friends for a while with her after working together."They all met up with friends and enjoyed a great night out like friends do."Jac was later spotted without her wedding ring.
December 2019
The next few months miraculously went by seemingly without incident. In December, Jacqueline was invited to take part in I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! just as Dan is slapped with fresh allegations he'd enjoyed a threesome with his CBB housemates Natalie Nunn and Chloe Ayling in the September.
December 2019
Despite Natalie initially keeping shtum, in December she gave an interview confirming they did have sex, telling The Sun, "I had sex with Dan in my hotel room. Chloe's story was true. I was drunk and it was a huge mistake but it happened."He was saying, 'deny it, deny it, deny it,' but I told him I couldn't lie. I chose to say nothing until now. I want to speak the truth."
December 2019
Meanwhile, Jac was on the other side of the world oblivious to the scandal unfolding at home. Whilst in Aus, Jac's campmate Myles Stephenson – the ex of Dan's rumoured fling Gaby Allen – allegedly told her that the pair did indeed sleep together when they'd been rumoured to the previous year. The confession reportedly left producers begging Jac to stay on the show, allowing her a phone call to Dan back in the UK. She went on to win the show, with the couple reportedly heading into crisis talks about their marriage shortly after arriving back in the UK.
December 2019
Finding herself back at the centre of the various scandals following Myles' allegations in the jungle, Gaby exclusively told Closer, "There's no need for me and Dan to be friends. It's a level of respect. I don't want to tread on anyone's toes and Jacqueline and her family are more important than me and Dan being mates."Apparently, he's got with Alex. I really hope that didn't happen, for Jacqueline's sake. Dan gets himself into situations. He is young, but there's no excuse. He's not doing himself any favours."
March 2020
At the start of lockdown, Dan and Jac introduced a new members of their family – an adorable puppy – alongside a loved up family photo.
May 2020
After holding onto their marriage throughout the threesome claims and Myles' revelations, in May, Jac moved out of the family home for some "breathing space" but insisted it was no reflection of the state of her relationship after she shot down rumours he'd been messaging other women on Instagram.Taking to social media to give her own account, Jacqueline explained, "I've been staying at another house – a house my parents will eventually be moving into. I had really been struggling (haven't we all!?) lately and, as I said the other day, I've just needed some time and breathing space."It followed an earlier post where she shot down reports of a split, saying, "I need some time. There is no split. No divorce. We are working together not against each other."
July 2020
In July, Dan finally confessed to being unfaithful as he released a lengthy public statement, apologising to his wife. "I've made mistakes, yeah. I've done things I shouldn't have done. Me and Jac have spoken about that and she has forgiven me," he told The Sun. "I know in the past I've denied things when they're not true, then when something has been true, I probably just kept my mouth shut. I was a different person."
November 2020
Jacqueline opened up about why she'd briefly left the family home the previous spring. "I kept it in for a while, but then over lockdown it was a really good time and place for Daniel and I to go through everything – an opportunity for us to talk through it all," she said. "For me, this meant turning to therapy."And because of that, I couldn't be in the same house as Dan. It was like when you wake up after a bad dream about someone, you need some space – that's what it was like with therapy."
December 2020
A year after the threesome scandal that had threatened to destroy their marriage, Natalie Nunn spoke exclusively to Closer about her alleged dalliance with the married dad of threeand how it affected her own marriage to US footballer Jacob Payne, revealing she was preparing to film a reality show about it. "I hope that Jacqueline having therapy showed Dan she's allowed him to change and fix himself, because it's easy to throw away the key and say, 'I'm done, I don't want to be with him any more'."But if I was Jacqueline, I would have gone to therapy earlier. I know her 'silly bitches' comment was aimed at me and Chloe, but what happened with us is just one story – there are more stories about him out there. I think Dan is just a big playboy. The only 'silly' person here is Jacqueline. She needs to look in the mirror because she keeps taking him back even after hearing all these stories. It's scandal after scandal."She probably shouldn't blame the other women because she's turning her cheek to the real point here: her husband is a liar."
March 2021
Just days after picking up the keys to their new 'forever home', Jac and Dan announced they were preparing to walk down the aisle for a second timeas they renewed their wedding vows. With Dan's 30th birthday also falling in June, it's the perfect opportunity to mark that and their fourth wedding anniversary with a joint celebration at their new sprawling £1.2m Essex pad.A source said, "Jac's conscious about putting too much pressure on the vow renewal, so by doing a joint celebration, it makes it more informal which is what she wanted."She's working with a designer to create a show-stopping dress, but she wants to avoid anything bridal. The kids can't wait to be involved too, with Teddy as page boy and the girls as bridesmaids."
Shared hobbies reinforced their connection
Jac is determined to overhaul her lifestyle this year, no doubt with the help of her personal trainer husband and home gym. She told her followers, “I really got to get into it this year, eat better and move more.”
Sharing an interest with your partner can help strengthen a relationship, says Jo. She adds, “It’s important to show an interest in each other. It’s been proven that the strongest friendships create the strongest relationships.”
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