I’ve scored 81 EFL goals and married a Love Island star – now I’m balancing professional football with my own TV series
BRADLEY DACK has had an unforgettable summer, despite being released by Blackburn.
The attacking midfielder was a fans' favourite at Ewood Park, playing 173 times for Rovers over six years.
After his playing time dwindled during last season, Blackburn made the difficult call not to renew his contract.
He has since joined Sunderland, reuniting with his former boss Tony Mowbray.
Despite finding himself having to change clubs, Dack has still enjoyed the summer of a lifetime.
The 29-year-old has been dating former Love Island star Olivia Attwood for a number of years after being introduced by mutual friends at a swanky London nightclub before she entered the villa, with the pair getting engaged in 2019.
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Last month they finally tied the knot following a series of Covid-related delays in a stunning ceremony.
The happy couple will now star in the latest season of their own reality TV show Olivia Meets Her Match, documenting the build-up to the wedding as well as the big day itself.
Over four hour-long episodes on ITV, fans will be given behind the scenes access to Dack and Olivia's stag and hen dos.
They will also become privy to all kinds of insider gossip from the couple themselves.
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Appearing in a trailer, Olivia said: "This is the moment we have been waiting for. This is going to be a fairytale. Husband and wife.”
Dack then added: "I’m about to marry the love of my life. [I won’t cry] as I don’t want to mess up my make-up."
Olivia appeared on Love Island in 2017, the same year that Dack joined Blackburn from Gillingham.
He immediately achieved hero status at Ewood Park, scoring 18 goals on the way to promotion - also bagging the League One Player of the Year award.
His skills immediately translated to the Championship, in which he netted 15 times during the 2018-19 campaign.
He was off to a flyer during the first half of the following season, before being struck down in December 2019 by the first of two devastating ACL injuries.
Dack started just seven Championship games across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns as he battled back from various setbacks.
Last season he was largely fit and available, although wasn't always in favour with boss Jon Dahl Tomasson - going on to leave having scored 57 goals in 173 appearances in all competitions.
In his farewell letter to Blackburn fans, Dack revealed that he still harbours hopes of playing in the top flight.
Hopefully I’ll see you in the Premier League!
Bradley Dack
He wrote: "I wish the club all the best in the future. Hopefully the club gets back to the Premier League, where it belongs. I would love to have stayed for another season, but that couldn’t happen.
"I’ll go on and hopefully we’ll see each other soon and hopefully I’ll see you in the Premier League!
"Thank you again from me. I’m thoroughly grateful to everyone who’s been involved during my time at the club. It’s been an absolute pleasure and I can’t wait to see you again soon."
Following his Ewood Park exit, Dack was quickly linked with fellow Championship side Sunderland.
And he sealed a deal with the Black Cats this week, signing a one-year deal to reunite with Mowbray.
Upon joining, he told the club's media team: "It feels brilliant to be here. It’s clear to see the Club is on an upwards trajectory and it’s great to be on board.
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"To play in front of 40,000 people every week at the Stadium of Light was a huge pull for me, there’s not many teams in England can produce those numbers.
"I hope my experience and style of play can add something different to the group, and I can’t wait to pull on the shirt for the first time."
