Declan Donnelly’s love life – I’m A Celebrity romance rumours to ‘painful’ split

I’m A Celebrity host Declan Donnelly has been a happily married man since 2015 with two beautiful children.

The broadcaster and presenter first burst onto our screens as part of the cast of Byker Grove back in the 1980s. Since then, Dec – together with best friend Ant McPartlin – have dominated British television, taking on a host of presenting gigs from Saturday Night Takeaway to Britain’s Got Talent.

But when it comes to romance, Dec has also been linked with some high-profile ladies. Whilst he may be settled down with wife Ali Astall, he was previously linked to an I’m A Celeb campmate.

READ MORE: Ant and Dec ‘in so much trouble’ as they make cheeky ‘throuple’ dig live on I’m A Celebrity

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So, as the current series of I’m A Celeb continues on ITV, Daily Star looks at Declan Donnelly’s love life.

First love

Dec’s first long-term relationship came with actress Clare Buckfield, who had originally starred in the 2.4 Children, as well as playing Natasha Stevens in CBBC’s Grange Hill. The pair had gotten on well at first, but eventually called time on their relationship in 2003.

At the time, Dec had said that differences in schedules meant that neither he nor Clare could make the relationship work and therefore decided to call time on their time together. However, he did not rule out a reconciliation – although this would not materialise.

A number of other people were later linked to the cheeky chap from Newcastle. These included personalities including Sarah Cawood and Diana Stewart; however, all these flings would eventually fizzle out.

Close relationships and ‘painful’ breakups

After he was announced to be back on the market, he was romantically linked to a number of different women, including Sky Sports presenter Georgie Thompson. The pair hit it off and eventually started dating in January of 2009.

During their relationship, Dec and Georgie had a whirlwind romance, as they seemed loved up and happier than ever. The pair would go on to be together for two years, before out of nowhere Dec and Georgie announced they were over in a statement posted to Twitter, now X.

After two months of silence, presenter Georgie broke her silence on the break-up in June of 2011, saying: “It’s been painful”. Georgie claimed that Dec’s commitment issues were the reason for the breakdown of the relationship.

“It’s been tough, it’s really tough,” she added. “It’s a really hard thing to live out a painful break-up when you’re in the public eye. It hurts but we have to be grown-up about it.”

Since then, the pair have patched up their differences and have remained friends. Georgie added that even though the breakup was unexpected, she would never have a bad word to say about the host.

I’m A Celeb romance rumours

Back on the market once again, Dec was spotted getting close to a former campmate on I’m A Celebrity – Pussycat Doll singer Ashley Roberts. Before the couple were linked romantically, Roberts herself took a liking to the Geordie, saying: “I would like to get to know Dec better. It would be nice to go for a drink and a chat.”

Despite the duo being paired together in the wake of her stint in the jungle in 2012, sparks did begin to fly between the two. After leaving the jungle, Ashley continued to be a feature in Ant and Dec’s shows, landing a role on Saturday Night Takeaway.

Things would eventually fizzle out, however, and the pair have remained good friends since. Ashley was even present at Dec’s wedding to Ali Astall on August 1 in 2015.

Happily married

Ali and Dec had previously been working together in a professional capacity, with Ali acting as Dec’s manager. They worked with eachother for 10 years, so the pair’s relationship came as an unexpected twist, but it led to true love blossoming between the two.

Dec had previously said there was a connection between him and his wife before they became an item, but was afraid to start a relationship due to work conflicts. He did admit, however, that the pair would go out for Valentine’s Day meals together when both were single.

And you might have guessed it, but Ant got the big call-up to be Dec’s best man. The likes of Holly Willoughby and Tess Dal were also in attendance at the star-studded wedding.

Since then, Dec and Ali have welcomed two beautiful children into the world. The pair continue to work together, as well as keeping their marriage alive. Dec said of his partner: “I felt a love that I didn’t realise it was possible to feel.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk