She opened up about the terrifying moment she feared armed robbers had kidnapped her children during a raid while they slept in their holiday villa in Marbella last month. And now insiders say Jacqueline Jossa has been left completely shaken and is struggling after the horrific incident, and that she and husband Dan Osborne have been trying to lean on each other to move forward.
Jac, 31 – who was with former TOWIE star Dan, 33, their two daughters, Ella, nine, and Mia, five, and her 10-year-old stepson, Teddy – woke up to see two men in balaclavas going through her belongings before fleeing with £20k of cash and jewellery, including her engagement ring and even Mia’s pocket money from the tooth fairy.
And sources now say that the ordeal has triggered Jac’s anxiety – which she’s battled since she was a teen.
The source says, ‘Jac’s understandably been a complete wreck since the incident. She’s been very on edge since getting home, constantly checking locks and can’t help but think ‘what if’.
‘She’s been open about her struggles with anxiety and this has just amplified it – she finds herself worrying if it’ll happen again or what drama will come next. It’s been a really tough time for her and Dan, but they’re determined to work through it and are so grateful no one was harmed in the nightmare.’
Recalling the horrifying ordeal, the EastEnders star said last week, ‘I was trembling and couldn’t really speak as I was the most scared I’ve ever been in my life and instantly thought, “Oh my God! The kids! Did he have a child in his hand? Did I see a little girl’s leg?” I couldn’t think straight and was panicking. It was like a movie. I was in complete shock.’
Earlier this year the mum-of-two praised therapy for helping manage her crippling anxiety and getting her through difficult times in her life, including her and Dan’s historically tumultuous marriage. And pals also say that while the incident has been tough on them as a couple, it’s ultimately brought them closer.
The source says, ‘Jac being on edge constantly has put stress on her and Dan. They’re both dealing with a whirlwind of emotions, which they’re trying to navigate while dealing with the police investigation and trying to keep everything as normal as possible for the kids.
‘Dan has a tendency to shut his feelings off and so, initially, he tried to remain stoic and tough – which just made Jac feel like he wasn’t giving her the emotional support she needed. But when they communicate, talk things through and remember they’re a team, it feels like there’s less of a divide.’
Jac and Dan began dating in 2013 and headed down the aisle four years later, but have battled through rocky times during the course of their relationship.
While Jac was in the I’m A Celebrity! jungle in 2019, fitness trainer Dan publicly apologised to his wife, admitting he ‘made mistakes that almost cost me my family.’ And the insider adds that since then, the couple have appeared to have grown stronger and rebuilt their relationship, and so know they won’t let this latest incident destroy them.
The source adds, ‘Jac’s determined to work through her anxiety following the drama, and ensure she works through the trauma and doesn’t let what happened affect their family life and marriage to Dan.
‘She and Dan have worked so hard to re-build their relationship, and so she’s determined for them to grow closer and stronger after this.’
