How Louise Redknapp’s bond with fellow Strictly star Daisy Lowe ‘tore her and Jamie apart’
THEIR marriage was one of the most picture-perfect in all of showbiz.
Jamie and Louise Redknapp were both stupidly good-looking, successful, talented, rich beyond most people’s wildest dreams and, most importantly, totally besotted with each other.
That was until the former Eternal beauty made the fateful decision to compete on the last series of Strictly Come Dancing — forging a close friendship with party animal model Daisy Lowe.
Now the Redknapps’ 21-year relationship lies in tatters, with Louise, 42, having moved out of the family mansion and telling pals they have split.
Meanwhile, A League Of Their Own star Jamie, 44, desperately clings to hope he can win her back.
So what has caused one of the golden couples of British showbiz for the past two decades to so spectacularly – and quickly – fall apart?
Perhaps not surprisingly given the show’s infamous curse, Jamie almost entirely blames Louise’s participation in Strictly for their marital problems — particularly her new bond with fellow contestant Daisy, 28.
A source close to the couple revealed: “Strictly completely changed Louise.
"She realised the passion she had for being a performer and a star with a career in her own right was still there.
“She had spent over a decade successfully raising their children and being a doting wife. But in the end it didn’t fulfil her.
“Of course, that’s difficult for Jamie to understand. He didn’t think there was any trouble in the marriage.”
In April Louise hinted at problems, telling John Bishop on his TV chat show: “I was Jamie Redknapp’s wife for ten years. That’s what I was known as.
“I don’t mean that in a negative way, it’s obviously amazing but there’s a part of me that secretly enjoys just being Louise.”
The Sun became aware of cracks in the marriage immediately after Strictly runner-up Louise completed the 30-date tour for the BBC show in February.
Another pal said: “Louise had become very close to her new friends from Strictly – they formed a real bond.
"That became even stronger on the tour where Louise became inseparable from Daisy.
“Louise ended up spending a lot more time away from home with Daisy and rediscovering her youth.
“That was when Jamie first started confiding in very close friends that his marriage was in trouble.
“Everyone was shocked as it was so out of character but assumed they would be able to work it out.”
Early end to holiday
From Neil Syson in Majorca
LOUISE Redknapp abandoned a week’s break in Majorca with the kids yesterday as estranged hubby Jamie urged her: “Be strong.”
Louise, still wearing her wedding ring, packed her bags after just three nights on the island and flew back to London with her sons.
Checking in at capital Palma’s airport, she said: “I am fine. I’ve just been on the phone to my husband. He told me to be strong.”
Louise refused to comment about her marriage and would not discuss why she was leaving early but admitted she had “not slept”.
Meanwhile, Jamie was pictured in just a towel by co-star Jack Whitehall at a script meeting for A League Of Their Own.
Jack posted online: “This is normal behaviour.”
Even more strain was put on the couple because Jamie was spending time at his father Harry’s mansion in Dorset after the 70-year-old suffered a cancer scare.
Sources close to Louise insisted rumours of a rift were “complete s***”.
But their problems were becoming widely discussed among their tight-knit group.
We published our first story about their 18-year marriage being “under strain” in April.
Aware it was coming, the couple went to Knightsbridge restaurant Zuma the night before, knowing they would be pictured.
That is the last time they have been seen together.
Louise then said at an awards do in June: “We’re great. Don’t worry about us, everything’s fine.”
But days later we revealed she had moved out of their mansion in Oxshott, Surrey, to another home she owned 15 minutes away.
Understandably, Jamie and Louise have been desperate to protect their two sons, aged 12 and eight.
But last week Louise told pals she believes they have split.
A source said: “For the moment the marriage is effectively over. But she remains determined to do what’s best for their kids and try to get the marriage back on track somehow.”
However, Sky Sports pundit Jamie’s pals are questioning if she is making the best decisions for the family, especially as she plans to be on tour from September to December in a production of Cabaret.
One said: “Jamie has been the rock right now. He’s been at the house, sorting the boys out as much as possible and trying to keep things stable for them.
“Louise was away on the Strictly tour, then stayed with Daisy for a bit, has now moved 15 minutes away and is about to go on tour.”
Jamie has spent the past few weeks moping around – but hinted at a new approach last week while attending the House Festival in Chiswick, West London.
The friend said: “He was enjoying himself and being more open about his issues.
"Jamie is a very good-looking, wealthy man who has a load of desirable women desperate to date him.
"Louise should be careful what she wishes for or she will end up losing him, which she may regret.
“But he is a family man who wants to believe they will sort their problems out.”
Last year Louise insisted the “Strictly curse” would not affect her marriage.
But evidence of Jamie’s discomfort came when his A League Of Their Own co-stars teased him about the male dancers.
Jack Whitehall quipped during the Sky show: “Jamie, is Louise easily spooked? Because she’s about to see a lot of Russian ghoulies I think.”
A backstage source said: “Jamie was furious. It wasn’t a joke to him.”
Louise, who insisted they both laughed about it later, said as she took on Strictly: “Any mum knows when you have children you lose a bit of your career and your own life.
“I feel I’ve earned a bit of time back to go out there and remember doing what I love.”
Sadly for Jamie that appears to have come at a serious personal cost.