BOXING champion and Strictly star Nicola Adams has opened up about her heartbreaking split from girlfriend Ella Baig.In an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday, the Olympic fighter has revealed that she struggled with ex-fianceé Ella’s work as an OnlyFans model during their seven-year relationship.Boxing champ Nicola Adams has split from her fiancee Ella BaigCredit: SplashNicola admits that Ella’s OnlyFans had a big impact on their relationshipCredit: ella.baig/InstagramElla posts nude snaps on the platform and engages in explicit chat with fans.Nicola said: “I have always been incredibly supportive of Ella’s career and the choices she has made, including her work on OnlyFans.“She is an amazing woman, and I admire her confidence and independence.“However, as much as I respect what she does, I can’t deny that it has had an impact on our relationship.”READ MORE ON NICOLA ADAMSThe couple have a two-year-old son, Taylor Nate, born via IVF using one of Nicola’s eggs.The 42-year-old former flyweight, who is the first British woman to win an Olympic boxing gold medal, said: “I’ve always considered myself to be mentally strong, but I’ve found this situation challenging at times and have had to reflect on how sustainable it is — especially as we raise our son together.“Parenthood changes your perspective on so many things, and I’ve had to be really honest with myself about my emotions and what’s best for our family.‘Both been to therapy’“Ella and I have shared so much love and happiness and, no matter what happens, my respect and admiration will never change.Most read in Boxing“Right now, we’re navigating this as openly and honestly as possible, with the priority being our little boy.”Speaking from her home in Dubai, Nicola revealed that the couple tried several months of therapy before calling it quits.Olympic boxing champ Nicola Adams on becoming a mum through IVFShe said: “The decision to split has been a gradual process.“We first discussed the notion of breaking up five months ago and came to the decision over a period of time.“We’ve both been to therapy, separately and together, to try to help heal our trauma, and we decided that it would be easier for us to split.“We need to be apart — it’s a lot easier to fix yourself.“It’s been hard because Ella has been my best friend for so long, so not having her there has been a big change for me and I’m still getting used to it. We’ve tried to keep it amicable and do things as a family for Taylor.”Nicola has been open in the past about her difficult childhood, growing up in poverty and pain in Leeds, throwing herself into boxing as protection from her violent father, named Innocent.A 2021 Prime Video documentary — named Lioness after her old nickname in the ring — also highlighted a rift with her mother and long-time supporter, Dee, who she is estranged from.Nicola believes she is still coming to terms with what she went through as a child.She said: “I have a lot of childhood trauma. I don’t want to pass any of it on to Taylor.“I do a lot of meditation and see a therapist to help me combat it. I can also see trauma in other people too.”Nicola is determined to give her son the best childhood possible. She said: “Our early years experiences are worlds apart.“I grew up on a council estate in Leeds in a single-parent household, I didn’t have anything to do.Ella posts nude snaps on the platform and engages in explicit chat with fansCredit: instagram/ella.baigNicola on her way to beating Sarah Ourahmoune to retain Olympic flyweight title in Rio in 2016Credit: Getty“There were people in my neighbourhood drug dealing and stealing cars — it was very different to how he is living now.“Even as a two-year-old he has a full social life, going swimming, having golf lessons and listening to music.“Thanks to the career I have had, I don’t have to work as hard as my parents did. I never got to see them, whereas I can spend so much time with Taylor.“Taylor is super-happy and confident. He is really independent and I love the person he is evolving into. He is a bundle of joy.”In 2020, Nicola made TV history when she became the first same-sex pairing on Strictly Come Dancing with Russian pro dancer Katya Jones.Unfortunately the pair had to pull out of the competition when Katya caught Covid, but Nicola thinks they could have won the Glitterball trophy.I do a lot of meditation and see a therapist to help me combat it [trauma]. I can also see trauma in other people too.Nicola AdamsShe said: “It was such a cool experience.“Learning how to open up and perform was awesome.“People still recognise me from the show and they have no idea about my sporting history.“I still talk to Katya. She really got the best out of me, and I liked the fact she had just as much energy as I did, so we were able to really get the dance moves right. It was a good partnership.“I definitely think we would have made the finals. I’m confident we’d have won. It was just unlucky that she got Covid.”Nicola admits that Ella struggled with the show as they were isolated during the height of the pandemic.The former couple have a two-year-old son, Taylor Nate, born via IVF using one of Nicola’s eggsCredit: Nicola Adams/InstagramNicola said: “It was lonely for Ella. We filmed during lockdown so we had to be in a bubble.“Ella wasn’t able to go see friends, so when I’d be out training from like 9am to 9pm, I think it was quite tough for Ella being alone for that amount of time.“Then the only people she’d get to see when we came back was either me or Katya.“I think it would have been a nicer experience if we’d have done Strictly now, where you can talk to everyone.“We couldn’t even interact with the other dancers or contestants — it wasn’t as social as the show normally is.”But she did not fall victim to the Strictly curse and enjoyed later teaching Ella the dance moves.Nicola said: “In some ways there are some good points as I was able to teach her all the dances.”Read More on The SunWhile Nicola is not currently dating, she is looking forward to new work projects this year, including acting in a movie and launching a podcast with the BBC.She said: “I don’t want a rebound relationship, I just want to focus on my work and being a good mum.” More
