24 September 2023 , 21:58
855
0
My Mum, Your Dad favourites Natalie Russell, 44, and Paul Edwards, 47, have split after seemingly finding love on the ITV dating show.
The dating series, which came to an end earlier this month, was hosted by Davina McCall and saw single parents come together after being nominated by their grown-up children. Natalie and Paul grew close on the show and left the country retreat ready to give their relationship a chance but, it's now been confirmed they were unable to make it work.
A source said: "Natalie and Paul enjoyed a great summer together. They have since agreed it was best to part ways but remain good friends and have been overwhelmed by the support from viewers and fans alike."
“As is so often the case with these dating shows, it’s easy for a connection to flourish while in the bubble of filming - there’s no distractions, no real life concerns and you’re united in one common goal to find love. Natalie and Paul’s flame burned bright for a few months but balancing life on the outside with nurturing their fledgling relationship proved too tricky."
Paul and Natalie struggled after the series ended (ITV)"With Natalie in Bournemouth and Paul in Bath the distance wasn’t insurmountable, but they were both independent people who had great lives of their own and in the end they decided their love wasn’t greater than the hurdles," the source told The Sun. In the series finale, their grown-up kids Mazey, 21, and Kaleil, 20, gave them their blessing but, the beloved couple admitted they had concerns about continuing their romance after the show had come to an end.
All you need to know about new 'Midlife Love Island' - from villa to stars
Paul said: “It is a bubble in here. But I think we’re both really excited to see where it’s going to go. The outside world is completely different but I think going forwards I can’t see anything other than really good things."
Natalie agreed: “I know reality is coming and I’m not disillusioned to that, but I do think there is so much potential there. It’s been an incredible experience.” Meanwhile, Roger Hawes, 59, and Janey Smith, 47, have stayed together alongside fellow couple Elliott Davidson and Sharon Benson, both 53.