Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Ulrika Jonsson admits to co-star fling as she weighs in on Andrew Buchan's marriage split

Ulrika Jonsson has offered her thoughts on the reports Andrew Buchan has left his wife "heartbroken" after calling it quits on their marriage.

The TV star, 55, says the chemistry between Andrew and Leila Farzad in BBC drama Better "was undeniable" and claims the "sexual tension was palpable" on-screen.

Mum-of-four Ulrika continues speak generally about celebrity romances and says it would be "hypocritical enough to criticise actors who stray", as many people meet their partners at work, and admits to "awkwardly and inappropriately" falling for a co-star in the past herself.

Ulrika's comments come as it alleged Broadchurch actor Andrew, 44, walked out on wife Amy Nuttall, 40, towards the end of last year - leaving the former Emmerdale star reportedly devastated.

It's been claimed Andrew called time on his marriage and left the family home just days before Christmas - going on to allegedly set up a new life with a co-star.

Andrew Buchan and Amy Nuttall reportedly recently ended their 11 year marriage (WireImage)
Ulrika Jonsson has now offered her thoughts on the couple's split (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The 44-year-old married Downton Abbey star Amy, in 2012 with the pair sharing a child together, having started dating in 2007.

Sources claim that those closest to Andrew and Amy have allegedly been left stunned by the bombshell news of his decision to pack up and leave.

Amid the reports, Ulrika says she isn't one to judge actors in general for extra-marital affairs.

Leila and Andrew play Lou and Col in the BBC drama (BBC/Sister Pictures/Ross Fergusan)

Writing in a new column, the Celebs Go Dating star admits to binging BBC drama Better in one sitting and praises the two leads, Andrew and Leila, over "screen bond and attraction".

She continues to discuss how there's something about filming and being on set with a small number of people that seems to "enable a romance" and says the alleged new romance between Andrew and Leila following his split from Amy isn't the first and won't be the last to rock the world of showbiz.

After rattling off a list of celebrities accessed of on-set infidelity over the years, Ulrika admits to straying herself in the past while working on a TV project.

Ulrika says she was filming Gladiators when she had a on-set fling 27 years ago (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"While I was filming Gladiators on location for a month 27 years ago, I fell for someone who, awkwardly and inappropriately, wasn’t my then-husband," she writes in The Sun.

"For me, certainly, it came down to escapism. I’d had a chance to get away from everything — husband and young child.

"I was free to abandon my domestic responsibilities and simply focus on being me."

She continues to recall how the experience felt like "a long working holiday" and adds how it is "an escape from children, responsibilities and the mundane".

Gladiators ran for eight years between 1992 and 2000 on ITV (REX)

"Falling for your co-star must be a very real occupational hazard," Ulrika adds.

Andrew and Amy are yet to comment on the speculation surrounding their marriage, with Leila also remaining silent publicly regarding the allegations attached to her.

But insiders have claimed Andrew and Amy's relationship is over and the actor has moved on with co-star Leila.

"For Andrew to walk away from his family was a huge shock to us all – and Amy is heartbroken," said a source earlier this week.

They went on to tell The Sun that he had "packed his bags", alleging that he had left with his new Better co-star.

"Nobody is quite sure of the exact details, but Andrew has clearly had his head turned pretty dramatically," they continued.

A source told the publication that those around the former couple believed that they would be together "forever".

The Mirror has previously approached representatives for Andrew, Amy and Leila for comment.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.