In a shocking turn of events, Jacques O’Neill, the 26-year-old Welsh rugby star and Love Island alum, has quietly ended his relationship with influencer Ellie O’Donnell, 28, after three years together, The Sun has revealed. The couple, once inseparable and often spotted sharing romantic moments, have now parted ways, leaving fans stunned as they no longer follow each other on social media.
Jacques and Ellie’s love story began in July 2024, with sparks flying during a romantic outing to Manchester’s upscale Sexy Fish restaurant, where they were seen hand-in-hand. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their relationship appeared to flourish, marked by luxurious holidays to Ibiza and whispers of plans to move in together. Insiders previously described the pair as a “perfect match,” with Jacques forming a close bond not only with Ellie but also with her sister, Daisey O’Donnell, as the trio frequently spent time together.
“Jacques and Ellie were smitten,” a source shared last summer. “Their romantic getaway only deepened their connection, and they were even talking about taking the next step and moving in together. Jacques got along famously with Ellie’s sister Daisey, and they all loved hanging out.”
Ellie, alongside her sister, has built a massive online following as part of the O’Dolls duo, known for their glamorous social media presence. Both sisters, hailing from Huddersfield, competed for the Miss England title in 2016 before skyrocketing to fame as influencers.
Jacques first captured the public’s attention during his emotional stint on Love Island in 2022. His time in the villa was marked by a tumultuous relationship with Paige Thorne, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the show. Citing struggles with his mental health and ADHD, Jacques later opened up about his challenges, admitting, “Life has been very overwhelming recently, and I’ve probably not handled myself in the best possible way. I’m aware I’m far from perfect, and there’s work to be done on myself.”
After leaving the villa, Jacques focused on rebuilding himself, and his romance with Ellie seemed to signal a brighter chapter. However, the recent split has left fans wondering what went wrong in what appeared to be a strong relationship.
Before Jacques, Ellie was linked to controversial MTV star Stephen Bear in 2019. Their relationship ended abruptly after Bear admitted to cheating, a scandal that made headlines. Ellie’s romance with Jacques, a Love Island “bad boy,” marked a fresh start, but it seems even this connection couldn’t stand the test of time.
As Jacques and Ellie go their separate ways, the once-loved-up couple has chosen to keep the details of their breakup private. The Sun reached out to Jacques for comment, but the rugby star has yet to publicly address the split. Meanwhile, Ellie continues to dominate the influencer scene alongside her sister, while Jacques navigates his next steps as a newly single man.