To say their relationship has been unconventional is an understatement.
Meeting on a reality TV show, realising that you picked the wrong woman and then starting a life with the second runner-up instead? Not exactly a textbook story of romance.
After publically announcing their split on Monday, Blake and Louise have now spoken about the reasons behind the breakup in an interview with Today Tonight.
Blake and Louise talk to Today Tonight about their split. Post continues after video.
After 18 months together, the couple discussed the severe effects of public scrutiny on their mental health.
“I’ve gone through bouts of depression and I know we’ve both gone through some acute anxiety,” Blake said.
“You get looks and you know that you’re starting a series of conversations in the room just because you’ve entered it. That and many [other] factors make you really very self-conscious.”
Despite three months of relationship counselling, the duo said that both of them knew a break-up was on the horizon.
While Blake initiated the break-up, the pair insists that it was mutual, and amicable.
He infamously dumped Sam Frost for Louise.
“We love each other so much,” Blake admits.
“We’ve got so much respect for each other; we’ve been through the worst of the worst when it comes to it. I can’t think of many couples who have been that scrutinised and the bond that that has formed between us has been amazing.”
Louise commented that she feels upset that things ended this way, and for these reasons.
“I was just sad. You think you’re going to spend the rest of your life with this person.”
When asked if Blake though it was possible to find love on a reality dating show, he answered that with all of the staged romantic dates and activities, you can’t help but feel loved-up.
“You’d have to try pretty hard not to at least find a pretty good bond or a great connection… but do you know everything about the person and do you know if you’re going to be compatible for life? Who knows that?,” he said
The pair also spoke to Kyle and Jackie O on KIIS 106.5 FM this morning, reiterating the same points.
“We’re good friends; we’ve always had an amazing friendship,” Louise said.
But Louise also pointed out that the public disapproval made it very hard to ‘celebrate their love.’
“When you’re trying to move forward, it’s hard to keep on being reminded about what happened,” she said.
This story originally appeared on TV WEEK
