Earlier this month, Sheridan Smith split from Alex Lawler following a four-month romance – and now friends tell Closer she regrets not giving herself time to heal after her break-up from ex-fiancé Jamie Horn.
Sheridan, 40, was said to have broken-off the relationship with actor Alex, also 40 – who she first dated two decades ago – which pals said had “run its course”.
The Gavin & Stacey star rekindled the romance with her childhood sweetheart just two months after ending her engagement to Jamie, 31 – with whom she shares 19-month-old son, Billy – last July.
A source says, “Sheridan was still very much in love with Jamie when she reunited with Alex and she was still grieving for the end of their relationship.
“While she initially tried to pretend she was OK, it became very clear it was more of a rebound fling and that things weren’t going to work out as she’d hoped.”
The BAFTA-winning actress – who is starring in Channel 5’s new psychological thriller, Teacher – appeared to have found her “happy ever after” when she met insurance broker Jamie on Tinder in 2018 – two years following her break from the spotlight after “falling apart” and confessing she self-medicated to cope with the death of her beloved dad, Colin, from cancer, in 2016.
The source adds, “Sheridan’s main priority is her son Billy, so she’s focusing on him and hopes that, in time, she’ll find love again once she’s ready and had time to heal.”
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Check out: recent celebrity splits
Biggest celebrity splits of 2022
1 of 16Denise Van Outen and Eddie Boxshall
After seven years of dating and a wedding planned later this year Denise Van Outen and Eddie Boxshall have called it quits. This break comes following cheating rumours and puts an end to their engagement. The couple lived together in Essex with Denise's daughter from a previous marriage. Whilst the break up comes as a bit of a shock, Denise is determined to move on with her life.
2 of 16Greg O'Shea (and mystery girlfriend)
Rugby player and Love Island 2019 winner Greg O'Shea recently announced he is single again, after splitting from his mystery girlfriend of two years. Whilst he had never confirmed the relationship, it was rumoured he was dating social media star Katie Hutchins for the best part of two years. Although things seemed to be going well between the two Greg revelled that problems arose when it became clear 'wanted different things out of life'.
3 of 16Chanel Iman and Sterling Shephard
American Football star Sterling Shephard and model Chanel Iman announced thier split this January. The couple had been married for four years and have two children together. According to Us, the former couple had a quiet separation before following through with a divorce.
4 of 16Delilah Hamlin and Eyal Booker
Love Island 2018 star Eyal Booker has apparently split from his Real Housewives of Beverly Hills girlfriend Delilah Hamlin. The pair dated for two years but reportedly broke up shortly before New Year's Eve 2021.
5 of 16Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet
After 16 years together Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet announced they had split. The pair were married for five years but insisted "the love between us carries on".
6 of 16Nadiya Bychkova and Matija Škarabot
It was reported in January that Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova had split from her fiancé, Slovenian footballer Matija Škarabot. Nadiya was partnered with Dan Walker in the 2021 series of the BBC's dancing competition and the fleet-footed pair came in a very respectable fourth place.
7 of 16Alan Carr and Paul Drayton
In January, Alan Carr confirmed he had separated from his husband Paul Drayton."After 13 years as a couple and three years of marriage, Alan Carr and Paul Drayton would like to announce they are separating," a spokesperson told PA."They have jointly and amicably made the difficult decision to divorce and go their separate ways. We request that their privacy is respected at this sensitive time."
8 of 16Sheridan Smith and Alex Lawler
In January, Sheridan Smith split from her boyfriend Alex Lawler following a four-month romance.
9 of 16Matt Leblanc and Aurora Mulligan
In news that shocked Friends fans the world over, In February 2022 it was reported that Matt LeBlanc - best known for playing Joey Tribbiani on the show – had split from his girlfriend of six years, Top Gear producer Aurora Mulligan.
10 of 16Kanye and Julia Fox
The artist formally known as Kanye went public with model and actor Julia Fox on the eve of 2022 but by mid February - Valentine's Day, to be exact – the pair had confirmed their split after Ye publicly expressed his desire to reunite with ex wife Kim Kardashian.
11 of 16Max George and Stacey Giggs
After four years together, Max George and Stacey Giggs called time on their romance in March 2022.A source told Closer, "At the start of their relationship, he always said it was the strongest bond he'd ever had with a woman and he didn't feel the age gap was an issue. But there's no getting away from the fact that they're at different stages of life and Max was discovering the limelight again after doing the Strictly tour then performing with The Wanted again."
12 of 16Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee
Nearly a year after the tragic death of their daughter Azaylia, Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee have split. In a statement on his Instagram Ashley said, "After a devastating and heartbreaking year, Safiyya and I decided to separate a few months ago. This was an incredibly tough decision which we needed to keep to ourselves for some time to give us the opportunity to figure out our own journey privately. "The past few months have demonstrated that we remain the closest of friends, spending time together every day, and that we will love, care and support each other forever. We are bonded by our powerful journey together, by the eternal love we have for our daughter, and our passionate commitment to her foundation."
13 of 16Malin Andersson and Jared
Just months after welcoming their daughter Xaya to the world, Malin Andresson and her boyfriend Jared have split. Taking to her Instagram on 31 March, Malin shared a statement that read, "I have always prided myself on being open and transparent on here, so I wanted to let you all know that myself and Jared are no longer together."We split around 4 weeks ago and I have been trying to come to terms with everything and process it all. We are co-parenting Xaya as of course she comes first in all of this, but we would appreciate some space as we navigate through this separation."
14 of 16Hayley Tamaddon and Adrian
Hayley Tamaddon has announced that she has split from her fiancé Adrian who she shares son Jasper with. Hayley announced the separation in an Instagram post on Mother's Day saying, "This Mother's Day is different for me, as I'm now a single mum. Mine and Jasper's life has been turned upside down over the past few months... but I realise the best thing to come out of this is Jasper. For he is all I need.. and all I've ever wanted. He makes me so happy!"I never set out to be a single parent.. but I DID set out to be the best mum I could be, and that hasn't changed. I'm so lucky I get to be his mummy. And I'm very proud of myself for overcoming the many obstacles I've faced since he was born. To any other single mamas out there.. I salute you. Have the most wonderful day!"
15 of 16Thandiwe Newton and Ol Parker
It was revealed Hollywood actress Thandiwe Newton had split from her husband of 24 years, Ol Parker, in April – two years after they were last publicly pictured together.Thandiwe, 49 – who shares daughters Ripley, 21, and Nico, 17, and son Booker Jombe, eight, with Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again film director Ol, 52 – is said to be have been so distraught over the split that her team urged her to seek help in a rehab facility.
16 of 16Helen Skelton and Richie Myler
Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton has announced her split from husband rugby player Richie Myler just four months after she gave birth to their second child. She announced the news on her Instagram story, writing, "Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple. He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co parent our small children."
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In more celeb news...
Alan Carr and Paul Drayton ' wanted it to work' before split
The nation’s favourite funnyman Alan Carr last week revealed sad news that he and husband Paul Drayton were going their separate ways.
A spokesperson for Alan, 45, confirmed it with an announcement revealing the couple had “jointly and amicably made the difficult decision to divorce”.
He and Paul, 50, had been together for 13 years but were only married for three. They seemed solid despite Paul’s history of alcoholism for which he went to rehab in 2018.
His most recent mishap was in November last year, when he admitted a drink-driving charge. Paul was accused of drink-driving after he reversed into a police car and narrowly missed a mother pushing a pram. The incident occurred just three miles from the £2.7m home he shares with Alan. The case has since been adjourned for sentencing.
Alan openly spoke about helping his husband with his alcoholism battle. And Closer’s psychological therapist, Emma Kenny, says a relationship with an addict can be challenging.
Emma says, “The fact that they’ve lasted 13 years demonstrates a huge amount of love, connection and commitment. To deal with an addict is always going to be very frustrating and challenging because the addiction is always ahead of the relationship. The person is in a relationship with the addiction as opposed to you, to sustain that for so long demonstrates that they both wanted it to work. Hopefully Paul will get the right help he deserves.”