Following a rocky few years in their marriage, Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne appeared to have things firmly back on track – revealing earlier this year that they even planned to renew their vows.
But after Jacqueline’s 30th birthday bash descended into chaos last week when Dan was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm following a violent brawl, some pals are saying that the pair will have to struggle through even more drama.
A source tells Closer, “Some of Jac’s friends are concerned she doesn't want to talk about the incident at her birthday, but they know she was devastated by what happened. It was a big milestone for her and she’d been looking forward to the party for so long. Jac’s putting on a brave face and acting like it’s no big deal, but some of her friends worry that she can’t take much more scandal surrounding her and Dan.”
Jacqueline held her birthday party in Brentwood, Essex, before carrying on the celebrations at their nearby home – where the altercations are said to have taken place. Police were called to their house in the early hours after it was reported that one party-goer’s jaw was broken and Dan, 31, was taken away in handcuffs. Insiders claimed that Jacqueline was left in floods of tears after several people were injured in the fracas. Dan has since issued a statement, insisting he was “provoked” and is confident he can “clear his name”.
“It was an awful thing to happen and pals said you could tell from Jac’s facial expression that her world had been turned upside down,” the insider adds. “She put so much effort into the celebrations and wanted a fun night out. Dan is insisting he was provoked and has told Jac he’ll clear his name. Right now, she’s trying to stay positive.”
The former EastEnders star recently hinted that she was planning a vow renewal ceremony with Dan – posting a picture in what looked like a wedding dress on Instagram.
A source says, “Jac and Dan just celebrated their five-year wedding anniversary and she was telling friends that she’d love to mark the occasion properly with a vow renewal. Now she’s devastated that those plans look like they could be wrecked with everything going on. She thinks they deserve a period of time just enjoying being together.”
The couple – who are parents to Ella, seven, and Mia, four – have endured some difficult times in their relationship. In 2020, Jacqueline insisted she could no longer be in the same house as the former TOWIE star and temporarily moved out to seek therapy.
They have also had to face cheating claims made against Dan. In 2018, just one year after their 2017 wedding, Dan was accused of cheating with Love Island star Gabby Allen when they were pictured looking cosy on a boat together in Marbella. The pair strenuously denied the claims.
In 2019, he was rumoured to have kissed another Love Island star, Alexandra Cane, during a boozy night out, but the pair insisted they were just friends. And Dan was forced to deny claims that he had enjoyed a threesome with former Big Brother housemates Natalie Nunn and Chloe Ayling behind Jacqueline’s back.
Opening up about his past behaviour in 2020, Dan appeared to finally own up to his actions, saying, “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.
“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.”
In 2014, horrifying audio leaked of him lashing out at his ex-girlfriend Megan Tomlin, who is the mother of his son Teddy, eight.
Speaking about the experience on Big Brother in 2019, he told housemates, “When I argued with my ex, we were toxic and they were horrible arguments. I regret every one of them and I honestly decided in my heart never will anyone get me angry again.”
A source says, “Jac and Dan have been through so much together and she’s told pals that she still really loves him and that they’ll have to get through this marriage crisis together.”