SINCE getting hitched in 2017, Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne’s marriage has come under intense scrutiny, with multiple allegations of cheating, money problems and even arrests plaguing the couple.
Earlier this year, it looked like the pair had finally split for good after ditching their wedding rings, selling their marital home and releasing a statement saying they were “handling things privately.”
However, following a 'make-or-break' holiday to Mexico, it appeared they were giving it yet another shot.
Now, pals have shared the underlying issues Jacqueline and Dan still face as they desperately try to make it work - and revealed the one deal breaker that would see the EastEnders actress walk away for good.
“There was a really rocky patch back there and they almost split permanently,” a source said.
“But Dan begged Jac to stay with him. He knows he’s not perfect and ultimately she is madly in love with him and can’t see herself with anyone else.
"She is desperate to keep their family together and he wants to be with her too.
"They’re making every effort to reignite their spark with a mixture of therapy and space.”
However, according to the insider, there’s still one thing they just can’t agree on - and it continues to cause conflict between them.
WEDDING WOES
“Jac is desperate for them to renew their wedding vows,” the source said.
“But Dan isn’t as keen.
"Their children, Ella and Mia and Dan’s son Teddy, are at the heart of everything they do - Jac thinks it would be nice for the kids to see it and for all five of them to be in a photo together.
“Dan believes they’ve already proved their love for each other by sticking together through the highs and lows, so why should they have to do it again.”
And the lows have certainly been plenty.
CHRISTINE CONTROVERSY
For years Dan, 34, and Jacqueline, 32, have had to fight rumours of infidelity. In 2018 he furiously denied allegations he’d been getting close with Love Island star Gabby Allen.
And a year later, as Jacqueline was in Australia filming I’m A Celeb, model Chloe Ayling claimed she’d had a threesome with Dan and US reality TV star Natalie Nunn, again, something he denied.
However, in an exclusive chat with The Sun in 2020, Dan admitted he had been unfaithful, saying: “I’ve made mistakes. I’ve done things I shouldn’t have done.”
So inevitably his marriage was rocked further in June this year when The Sun revealed he had been swapping texts with Christine McGuinness and had even met her at a hotel in 2023, following her split from TV presenter Paddy McGuinness.
Pals admit now that Jacqueline was “frustrated” by the reports and “hates when all eyes are on her and her marriage.”
“Jac was embarrassed and fed up after the Christine stuff" we were told.
“It wasn’t news to her, she knew about the rumours, it was just dredging up the past that they had already worked through so it was frustrating for her to be in the spotlight again.
"She doesn’t want the world thinking she’s married to some love rat - as far as she’s concerned Dan is a good man.”
That said, the source maintains that Jacqueline has been firm with her husband before.
“The biggest misconception about Jac is that she’s a walkover and a mug,” the mole said.
“She’s very strong minded and she’s given Dan hell for what he’s done in the past.
"He’s paid the price - he would be the mug to cheat again.”
THE DEALBREAKER
While our source genuinely believes Jacqueline “will never leave” Dan, there is an exception to the rule and that would be if he ever did something publicly to hurt their children, Ella, ten, and Mia, seven.
“If Dan’s actions upset or embarrass their girls, especially as they get older and understand more, that would likely be enough to push Jac to walk away,” the source said.
“If Dan were to put her in a position where she was being humiliated publicly again, especially after she gave him another chance, she’d be unlikely to stay.
"She’s told him it's his last chance.”
PAST MISTAKES
Aside from the infidelity rumours, Jacqueline and Dan have navigated other issues which threatened to derail their marriage.
In 2019, his business, Storm Entertainment, was plunged into thousands of pounds worth of debt, which put strain on the couple.
And in 2022, Jac was devastated when Dan was arrested at her 30th birthday party, after becoming embroiled in a “mass brawl” in their back garden.
She [Jac] doesn’t want the world thinking she’s married to some love rat - as far as she’s concerned Dan is a good man
Friends of Jac Jossa
However, our source said Jacqueline keeps a “level head” when it comes to problems, preferring to focus on protecting her daughters and keeping her family - including Dan’s eleven year-old son Teddy from his relationship with Megan Tomlin - together under one roof.
“Jac’s very level headed about stuff,” we were told. “She just loves Dan so much but also wants to keep her family together.
"She thinks marriages are about ups and downs and nobody has it perfect. You always need to work on it.
"Ultimately, she would hate for their girls to wake up in the morning without their dad there.”
RULES OF ATTRACTION
As they try and move forward after yet another rocky patch, things do seem to be on the up.
The source explained that therapy, communication and Dan being open and honest with Jacquline has been hugely beneficial for them. But ultimately, the fact of the matter is that Jacqueline still fancies the pants off her husband.
“Oh, she thinks Dan is absolute sex on legs,” confirms the pal.
“And he in turn tells her he doesn’t want to be with anyone else - and that tells her everything she needs to know. They’re a family, a strong unit and they love each other very much.”
I’ve made mistakes. I’ve done things I shouldn’t have done
Dan Osborne
Following their ‘make or break’ trip to Mexico, it seems Jacqueline has laid down firm ground rules and boundaries, which, according to our source, Dan is happy to stick to.
“Jacqueline’s decision to stay with him seems rooted in genuine love, committed work to heal (through therapy and time apart) and prioritising their family unit for their children,” they said.
“She hasn’t glossed over Dan’s mistakes - she demanded clear commitment from him and truly believes they’ll grow stronger together.”
