The agonising conversations that ended Jade Thirlwall and Jordan Stephen’s six-year romance, revealed by pals

IT’S the love split that has left Jade Thirlwall’s Little Mix fan base reeling. And now insiders have revealed why her break-up with Jordan Stephens after six years together was a long time coming. Insiders have revealed that Jade Thirlwall and Jordan Stephens started experiencing issues a few months ago Credit: PA The pair were last seen together in public at the Brit Awards in February Credit: Getty Rizzle Kicks singer Jordan has headed off a soul-searching trip in the wake of their break-up, while Jade is gearing up to head back on the road next week for a month of jam-packed performances. A friend said their split was a decision not taken easily. “Jade and Jordan started to have some issues a few months ago,” the pal explains. “They’ve been together for a very long time so they could have honest discussions with each other. “Naturally, this didn’t happen overnight. Deciding to leave each other wasn’t an easy decision for either of them. It was a gradual decision as they thought through what their futures would look like both with or without each other. “There is only love and respect between them. Things just weren’t working and they were honest about that.” Jade, 33, and Jordan, 34, started dating in 2020, after a friend told Jade he was single. The Little Mix star said: “It was through a friend. I slid in the DMs. I’d been doing this for quite a while. I kept getting pied left, right and centre. “Jordan and I did a few Zoom dates in lockdown. We made a joke and said it was business and put suits and ties on and asked each other questions. I did the full shebang, a full suit. Jade and Jordan failed to publicly mark their anniversary, as they had done in previous years Credit: Getty The couple’s relationship was ‘as good as over’ by May, claims an insider Credit: Instagram “Then we had a socially distanced date in Greenwich park, apart from each other just chatting.” Jade later admitted she didn’t think she would be keen on dating another musician, but said Jordan – who is one half of group Rizzle Kicks – was different. She said: “I actually really didn’t want to date a musician. I’d done it previously; it never works out well. But it’s amazing.” The pair quickly fell in love and moved in together, splitting their time between homes in London and Margate. Jade and Jordan were last seen together in public at the Brit Awards in February, after Angel Of My Dreams singer Jade was nominated for Artist Of The Year and Best Pop Act. It was a huge moment for Jade, and for Jordan, who helped her craft parts of the record and appeared on the backing vocals on album track Headache. After the event I saw them together at the Sony Music official after-party at Soho House in Manchester and there was no sign anything was amiss, as they sipped cocktails and chatted with a group of friends. Jade is gearing up to head back on the road next week for a month of jam-packed performances Credit: Getty Jordan, who is part of Rizzle Kicks, has now quit the UK and headed on a soul-searching trip in the wake of their break-up Credit: Getty But pals say the following month, Jade’s gruelling touring schedule took over – with her hitting the road for most of March. As April passed into May, Jade and Jordan failed to publicly mark their anniversary, as they had done in previous years. And questions started to be asked after he failed to appear at Mighty Hoopla that month, when Jade went on stage to support Lily Allen. “By May their relationship was as good as over,” an insider explains. “They had agreed to take some time apart, with Jordan heading off to Brazil to get away on a soul-searching trip without her. “Jade threw herself into work. She had another run of live shows in June and had already started working on ideas for her second album. “Time apart gave them time to think about what they wanted. “And ultimately, they made the decision to end their relationship. It’s not been easy for either of them.” Insiders claim there’s no bad blood between Jordan and Jade Credit: Getty Jordan was noticeably absent from Perrie Edwards’ wedding Credit: Getty Jordan later removed the TikTok videos he had with Jade from his official account, leading to fans questioning what was happening. He was then missing from Jade’s bandmate Perrie Edwards’ wedding in Portugal. Jade was at the ceremony, alongside Leigh-Anne Pinnock, but Jordan was nowhere to be seen. Jade later appeared to drop a hint about the state of their relationship, as she gave an interview about her next record, the follow-up to her debut That’s Showbiz Baby!, that peaked at No3 in the charts. She said: “I’m just writing stuff. Whatever I’m going through at the minute, like privately, I’m sort of putting pen to paper. “I think this is the exciting phase or the experimental phase, where you don’t know what it’s going to be yet. “For me, that’s sometimes the most magical part as an artist when you’re writing music.” Jordan has now removed the TikTok videos he had with Jade from his official account Credit: Getty Jade appeared to drop a hint about the state of their relationship during an interview Credit: Getty While Jade is now preparing to go back out on tour in a fortnight, travelling to the US, Japan and Europe, before returning to the UK at the end of next month where she will play Reading and Leeds Festival, Jordan has once again taken himself away. Friends said Jordan had gone up to Yorkshire on what pals say he is calling a “spiritual retreat” to clear his head and he posted photographs from his trip with the caption: “Why I’ve not been replying, sorry.” Despite no longer being together, those close to Jade and Jordan have said that there is no animosity between them. “Jordan was the biggest champion of Jade and is so proud of what she has achieved in her solo career,” a friend explained. “That isn’t something you switch off. It’s the same for Jade. Six years is a long time to be together and there will always be love between them. “Their mates on both sides are hoping that they may come back together again in the future. “As a couple they worked so well together and they both absolutely championed their talents and dreams. “It’s sad but that’s life. And now they’re both moving forwards and navigating life as it comes.”