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Love Is Blind's Nicole Stevens has announced her split from her co-star Benaiah Grunewald Brydie after three years together.
The TV star said that she was 'devastated' that they had 'reached this point' as she asked for privacy to navigate her next steps in a statement on Monday.
The pair both rose to fame on the first ever season of Love Is Blind: UK which aired on streaming platform Netflix.
Nicole, 32, initially accepted a proposal from fellow contestant Sam Klein before breaking it off to follow her heart and marry Benaiah, 36, in September 2023.
Nicole said in her statement: 'When I said 'I do', I never imagined I would one day be sharing this.
'For those who have followed and supported our journey, I wanted to let you know that Ben and I have separated. I feel devastated that we've reached this point.
'For now, my focus is on moving forward, and I'd appreciate privacy and understanding as I navigate what comes next.
Love Is Blind's Nicole Stevens has announced her split from her co-star Benaiah Grunewald Brydie after three years together
The TV star said that she was 'devastated' that they had 'reached this point' as she asked for privacy to navigate her next steps
'Thank you for all the love and support you've shown us over the years. I'm so grateful, and I don't take it for granted. Sending love to you all.'
Only last year, however, it seemed that things were going really well for the pair.
Just last August, marketing director Nicole gushed of her partner: 'Before the show, I'd never have dreamed of marrying a man I'd only just met.
'In the early days of married life, I constantly wondered: 'How have I gone from not knowing this man to him being my husband, someone I have to be accountable to (and him to me), in the space of a few weeks?'
'It was mind-blowing. But, luckily, it turns out my instincts were correct. Ben really has turned out to be the man I want to spend the rest of my days with.'
Ben, a freelance drone operator and structural landscaper, agreed wholeheartedly, saying: 'I love Nicole, she's everything I could have wished for in a wife.
'Our route to marriage may have been unconventional, but I feel incredibly lucky that we found each other.'
On Love Is Blind, a group of men and women 'date' over ten days, speaking to one another from specially built pods: they are separated by a translucent wall, so they can get a sense of the person on the other side, but no visual detail.
The participants start by 'speed-dating' and can then opt for longer dates with anyone who arouses their interest.
They can eventually propose marriage: if the other accepts, they meet face to face for the first time, then head to a couples' retreat for a week to get to know one another and become intimate.
She said in a statement: 'For those who have followed and supported our journey, I wanted to let you know that Ben and I have separated. I feel devastated that we've reached this point'
Only last year however it seemed that things were going really well for the pair as they travelled the world together
'We talked about attitudes to religion, money, travel, having children,' Ben said previously of speaking to Nicole from their pods on the show. 'We built an emotional, spiritual and mental connection, without actually seeing one another at all.
'It's the polar opposite of meeting someone on dating apps which I've always found shallow.
'Everything is based on appearance, leaving you wondering if the next person might be a bit better looking.'
Ben was not Nicole's first choice of potential spouse though.
That honour went to Sam Klein, a product design manager, whose proposal she accepted but quickly regretted once they met.
Nicole then reconnected with Benaiah after they got to know each other in the pods during the series and Benaiah then proposed to her.
They continued their relationship back in London and officially tied the knot in September 2023 during the Season 1 finale.
English (US) ·