Life in the spotlight isn’t always as glamorous as it seems—and for Olympic boxing champ Nicola Adams, navigating love, parenthood, and public scrutiny has been a journey full of tough decisions.
Now, she’s getting candid about why her relationship with longtime partner Ella Baig came to an end, and the emotional road they’ve both had to walk since.
Trying to Make It Work—But Hitting a Wall
Nicola and Ella had been together since 2018 after a chance meeting during a night out sparked something special.
Their relationship saw them build a life together, even welcoming a son in July 2022.
But behind the happy moments, the couple were working hard behind closed doors to address growing tensions—turning to couples’ therapy in an effort to heal and reconnect.
However, despite months of therapy, Nicola recently revealed that the toll of Ella’s OnlyFans career proved too much for the relationship to handle.
She expressed continued support for Ella’s choices and independence, but admitted that the explicit nature of her partner’s work ultimately affected the bond they once shared.
Balancing Co-Parenting and Emotional Healing
Nicola made it clear that the most important priority for both of them now is their son, Taylor.
They’ve committed to navigating co-parenting with mutual love and respect, keeping their child at the center of every decision.
While the breakup has been challenging, especially with a child in the mix, Nicola emphasized that they’re doing everything they can to handle the transition in a healthy and honest way.
Ella had carried their son after undergoing fertility treatment using a sperm donor who resembled her, and the two had looked forward to a future raising him together.
Even after the romantic chapter closed, they’re determined to remain great co-parents.
Letting Go, With Love Still in the Background
In a statement from Nicola’s team, it was shared that both she and Ella made the decision to separate after a great deal of reflection and therapeutic support.
The love and memories are still there, but the realization came that they were better off going their separate ways.
A source close to the couple echoed this sentiment, saying they had genuinely tried to make it work, especially for Taylor’s sake, but accepted that it was time to move forward in a new way.
Nicola’s Focus Now is Family and Her Career
When asked about what’s next, Nicola was honest—dating isn’t even on her radar.
Right now, she’s focusing on being a dedicated mum and continuing her professional journey.
After all, her story has always been about breaking barriers, both in sport and in life.
A Champion in and Out of the Ring
Nicola first made history in 2012 when she became the first female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal, then defended her title four years later at Rio.
She hung up her gloves in 2019 after briefly holding the WBO flyweight title, but she wasn’t done inspiring.
In 2020, she hit the dance floor on Strictly Come Dancing, making headlines once again as part of the show’s first same-sex couple.
Though their time on the show was cut short due to COVID, her legacy continues to shine—both inside and outside the ring.