Love Island’s Lucinda Strafford reveals ‘real reason’ for shock split from chart-topping DJ

LOVE Island star Lucinda Strafford has revealed the “real reason” she split from chart-topping DJ Nathan Dawe earlier this year.

The reality star, who shot to fame on the ITV2 dating show in 2021, split from 21 Reasons hitmaker Nathan in June, just weeks after going public with their romance.

The pair seemed to be going from strength-to-strength, with musician Nathan even confirming his romance to The Sun at the Summertime Ball in June.

But Lucinda has now revealed the truth behind their break-up and why they decided to call time on it.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Lucinda said: “My last relationship was quite a chilled one. Nathan [Dawe] is literally the best and we still have conversations from time to time. I wouldn’t say we’re friends but we’re on good terms and chilled.”

When asked if the door is firmly closed on her last relationship, Lucinda laughed: “Probably not, I’m not going to lie.”

The star admitted that they ended their romance after it got to the point where they struggled to make time for each other due to their clashing schedules.

Lucinda said Nathan was travelling a lot for work and she had a busy work diary – meaning they stopped being each other’s priority.

She told us at the Beauty Awards 2024: “We were dating at the start of summer and he’s the busiest through summer with his music, so it was kind of like both of our schedules were so busy that it was hard to put time into the relationship.”

Lucinda, who admitted she is currently single, said she is not looking for a new boyfriend but if a return to All Stars is on the table, then she wouldn’t say no.

Lucinda said: “At the moment, nothing TV wise, but I’m definitely open to TV. I keep seeing rumours of me going on but at the moment, I don’t know. I’m not thinking too deeply into it. I’m single.

“I’ve done it a couple times now and if I ever did go back on, I’d just own it.

“I think I’d probably go on with the same mentality as I did with Love Island Australia, if it happens it happens, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

She went on: “If it comes it comes and I’d be happy if it came but I’m not looking for anyone. I’m not looking for anyone. I’m not interested in male attention. If the right person comes my way, then absolutely.

Lucinda said there is one former Islander who she has her eye on but kept tight-lipped about their identity.

Maya Jama will be welcoming a slew of past contestants back to South Africa for the second edition of the hit ITV2 dating show's starry spin-off and a whole host of names are currently in the frame to head back.

When Lucinda dated Nathan it was just two months after her messy break-up with Zac Nunns.

She and Newlander Zac had met on Love Island Australia late last year but went their separate ways in February.

A source told The Sun: “Lucinda has had her fair share of heartbreak this year, and she’s looking for a fresh chance at love.

“Hopefully the man of her dreams will be in the Love Island villa as she wants 2025 to be a new start for her romantically.”

Lucinda confirmed she and Nathan were no longer an item while speaking on the White Fox After Hours podcast.

She said: "So I am recently single.

"You've actually just got to laugh or you will literally cry.

"But to be honest, my ex boyfriend is like one of the best people ever, he is so lovely and so kind. A real gent. I feel like we will always be friends.

"He's a bit older as well. I feel like it's just way more mature which I love."

She added: "Neither of us have done anything, it's just more the fact that both of us are so busy.

"It's right person, wrong time."