Love Island EXCLUSIVE: Jess Gale announces she and Ched Uzor have SPLIT… two weeks after hunk revealed lockdown made it impossible for them to ‘build a relationship’
Love Island star Jess Gale has announced her split from Chad Uzor, two weeks after it was revealed that lockdown had made it impossible for them to ‘build a relationship’.
In a statement shared exclusively with MailOnline, the 21-year-old blonde beauty confirmed the COVID-19 lockdown played a role in the demise of their romance, while insisting that she and musclebound hunk Ched, 23, will continue as friends.
‘After a whirlwind romance in the Love Island villa, unfortunately Jessica Gale and Ched Uzor have made the mutual decision to split,’ reads a statement from the reality star’s publicist.
Split: Love Island star Jess Gale has announced her split from Chad Uzor, two weeks after it was revealed that lockdown had made it impossible for them to ‘build a relationship’
‘They have unfortunately felt the effects of lock down separation but will continue as friends. They wish nothing but the best for each other and full success in each others careers.’
Jess’ statement comes two weeks after Ched suggested things weren’t going too swimmingly for him and the blonde.
Speaking last month, the scaffolder revealed that they barely had any time together when they returned from South Africa following the winter series of the ITV2 show, making it difficult to ‘build a relationship’.
Pandemic: In a statement shared exclusively with MailOnline, the 21-year-old blonde beauty confirmed the COVID-19 lockdown played a role in the demise of their romance
Speaking on Johnny Seifert’s Secure The Insecure podcast, Ched said: ‘We came out, as you can imagine we had interviews together up and down. We were in London we were in Manchester. So I spent two weeks with her.
‘Then I came home and then the following Monday we got locked down. So she was in lockdown with her sisters and and I was in Suffolk at home with my family. So we haven’t seen each other really.
‘We voice note everyday. Its just harder. Obviously when you haven’t seen somebody you feel like you are not as close.’
Hunk: The scaffolder, 23, revealed that they barely had any time together when they returned from South Africa following the winter series of the ITV2 show
When asked about his relationship status Jess, he elaborated: ‘I feel like its just something we need to discuss when lockdown is over.
‘Right now we just talk everyday about random topics. I wouldn’t say we really have romantic conversations.
‘I like Jess. I would say we are just talking and seeing each other and seeing how things go. We are not in a relationship though.’
Keeping cool about the whole thing, Ched added: ‘We will see how things go. If it works out it works out. But at the moment we are not doing everything you want to be doing to build into a relationship.’
Discussion: When asked about his relationship status with Jess, he elaborated, ‘I feel like its just something we need to discuss when lockdown is over’. Pictured with Jess’ twin sister Eve
In April, during an Instagram Live Q&A with sister Eve, Jess was asked about Ched.
‘Yeah, me and Ched are still together!’ she assured a fan. ‘I feel like we are maybe quite private and I don’t feel the need to plaster him all over social media whenever we do something or whenever we go out. We put our phones away and enjoy each other’s company.’
She went on to add: ‘I feel like it hasn’t been that long. We’ve come out the villa and we’re getting to know each other in a different way, like you get to know what they’re really like. We’re taking it chill.’
Her sister Eve – who was also on Love Island but booted out in the first week – said of Ched: ‘On TV he came across really well, really kind, really caring and really chilled. I think he is still like that on the outside world.’
In happier times: The couple made it to the Love Island finals earlier this year, placing fourth