Jake Quickenden has broken his silence after confirming the end of his marriage to Sophie Church. The former X Factor star, 36, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt post about his two sons, Leo, five, and 16-month-old Kit, following the news of their separation.
Sharing a carousel of photos showing his children enjoying time with their father, Quickenden wrote: "My boys…. My world!!" A fan commented: "Whatever is happening the kids have the best parents ever…dad and mum who love them so much! I hope things work out for the best! Positively you way!" Quickenden replied: "Appreciate that, they are all that matter."
Amicable Separation
A source close to the couple revealed that despite ending their four-year marriage, Quickenden and Church remain on excellent terms. "Jake and Sophie have ended their marriage but they remain incredibly amicable. There is still a huge amount of love and respect between them," the insider told The Sun.
The source added: "Their main priority has always been, and continues to be, their children, and they are fully committed to being the best parents possible." The couple reportedly grew apart over time, leading to honest conversations about their future. "While they might not be together any more, they are still on great terms and are looking to the future, co-parenting together. Maintaining a happy and supportive family unit together is their focus now," the source said.
Relationship History
Quickenden and Church began dating in 2018 and got engaged in 2021 during a holiday to Rhodes, Greece. They married in Ibiza the following year. After the wedding, Quickenden described his wife as his "soulmate" and said he "thought it was an angel walking down the aisle" when he saw her in her wedding dress.
The couple share three children: Leo, born in 2021; Kit, born in January 2025; and Freddie, Sophie's older son from a previous relationship.
Career Highlights
Quickenden, originally from Scunthorpe, first rose to fame on The X Factor in 2012, reaching the judges' houses stage. He returned for the eleventh series in 2014 and was eliminated after a sing-off against Only The Young. He later became a reality TV regular, appearing on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (series 14), Dancing on Ice (2018), The Real Full Monty On Ice (2020), and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (2021). He was also in a relationship with Danielle Fogarty from 2014 to 2018.
