Olivia: ‘Chris is very good at putting on an act’
The Love Island star is sick of getting the blame for their split
Break-ups are difficult at the best of times. But when they’re caught on camera for a reality TV show in which you’re ostensibly planning your bright future together, things can get very awkward.
So, spare a thought for Olivia Attwood and Chris Hughes, who revealed they had pulled the plug on their volatile, seven-month romance two weeks ago – at the same time they were wrapping filming Crackin’ On, a fly-on-the-wall series about moving in together.
When we meet Olivia, 26, a week after being dumped, it’s clear she’s still hurting and she tells us, despite public opinion, there is another side to the adorable Chris.
‘I stood by him through so much’
We heard that Chris ended it by phone and then again for the cameras…
Yeah. We’d had a two-minute phone call and he said, “I’m officially done”. But I didn’t take it seriously because I’ve had that a lot from Chris, he’s reactive. Then that night, he texted to say, “We’re actually filming this break-up.” I full-on refused, but he wasn’t budging. In the end, I thought, “Let’s just do it”.
Your relationship was plagued by accusations of bad behaviour on both sides. Do you regret standing by him?
I think there were times when I should have walked away and didn’t. I stood by him through so much shit – some things people don’t even know about. So to have him straightaway write on Instagram, “Everyone lets you down,” I thought, “Are you f***ing having a laugh?” But I guess if I’d been really ready to walk away, I would have.
Are you in touch with Kem?
No, I’m not. I always liked him, but I think this industry does something weird to men that it doesn’t do to women. The ego that comes with it, I just can’t…
On Love Island, you were painted as the baddie – will we now see another side to Chris?
I think reality TV likes girls as the villain, but has a tendency to build up men – would you see two girls in the same position as Chris and Kem? Also, I watched a lot of Love Island back. I wasn’t particularly likeable at times, but there was a lot that went on that people didn’t see. Chris is very good at Pr-ing himself in a certain way and putting on an act. With everyone, there’s good and bad, and there’s a different side to Chris that you’ve only seen glimpses of. I also think people put him on a pedestal, like his shit didn’t stink. Well, no one’s perfect. I came out hated, so I had nothing to lose.
Chris & Olivia: Crackin’ On is on ITVBE on Wednesday 7 March at 10pm