It’s been a turd of a year, but Olivia Attwood is finishing 2020 with a whole lot to be grateful for. And that’s no surprise, considering the success of her and fiancé Bradley Dack’s fly-on-the-wall series Olivia Meets Her Match.
The show – which charts the ups and downs of their lives together in Manchester, as they plan their wedding and take the piss out of each other – has given Liv the chance to show fans a new, more vulnerable side to her personality, and has also made breakout stars of footballer Brad and Liv’s super-glam mum Jen.
Liv, 29, spoke to us about wedding plans, letting people in, and why – when it comes to Christmas – it’s never too early to pop the Champagne cork…
Brad’s taken to the cameras surprisingly well…
Yeah, he surprised me. I think the key was that we had a really great crew, and he bonded with them quickly. A lot of the stuff we filmed was just us at home, so they were around all the time.
Was it hard appearing more vulnerable on screen?
It’s always a risk letting people in, but I felt like I owed it to my followers. I really went into this thinking, “Right, this is my baby, my name’s on the tin. If people don’t like it, that will be shit, but it has to be me.”
How’s your mum Jen finding her new-found fame?
I mean, Jen is turning into an icon in her own right. She might have her own Kardashian-style spin-off show at this rate. Jen Takes London, or something.
CHECK OUT celebrities who got engaged in 2020
Celeb engagements 2020 slider
1 of 14Ray Quinn and Emily Fletcher
Former X Factor star and Hollyoaks actor Ray Quinn announced he'd popped the question to his girlfriend Emily on New Year's Day!Sharing a photo of Emily kissing is forehead on Instagram, Ray wrote, 'Welcome to the family my Queen ud83dudc96 #shesaidyes ud83dudc8d ud83eudd70'. (sic)
2 of 14Brianne Delcourt and Kevin Kilbane
After being paired together on Dancing On Ice, former footballer Kevin Kilbane and pro skater Brianne Delcourt's partnership turned romantic, with Kevin asking Brianne to marry him just three months after meeting.
3 of 14Jess Wright and William Lee-Kemp
Former TOWIE star Jess Wright announced her engagement when her boyfriend William proposed during a skiing trip in the French Alps.Sharing this cute snap on Instagram, Jess wrote, 'A million times YES! ud83dudc8d❤ufe0f I love you so much x'. (sic)
4 of 14Jordan Banjo and Naomi Courts
Diversity star Jordan Banjo asked his long-term girlfriend Naomi Courts to marry him in one of the most romantic proposals ever! Popping the question during a romantic meal on the beach, Jordan wrote on Instagram, 'One of the happiest days of my life...just behind the birth of my kids and the release of McDonald's spicy nuggetsud83cudf57 Happy Valentines Day to my love @naomiella21 ❤ufe0f'. (sic)
5 of 14Danielle Armstrong and Tommy Edney
Former TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong revealed she was the 'happiest girl in the world' when he boyfriend Tommy Edney popped the question during a holiday to Dubai.
6 of 14Joe Duttine and Sally Carman
Coronation Street stars Joe Duttine and Sally Carman announced their engagement during self-isolation in March.
7 of 14Craig Revel Horwood and Jonathan Myring
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood announced his engagement in April, revealing his partner Jonathan Myring popped the question whilst the pair were on holiday in early March.
8 of 14Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz
21-year-old Brooklyn Beckham announced his engagement to American actress Nicola Peltz in July! He wrote on Instagram, 'Two weeks ago I asked my soulmate to marry me and she said yes xx I am the luckiest man in the world. I promise to be the best husband and the best daddy one day ❤ufe0f I love you baby xx'. (sic)
9 of 14Marcel Somerville and Rebecca Viera
Former Love Island star Marcel Somerville proposed to his pregnant girlfriend Rebecca Viera at the couple's gender reveal party.
10 of 14Marnie Simpson and Casey Cody
Former X Factor star Casey Cody proposed to Geordie Shore star Marnie Simon in August 2020! The pair, who have a son called Rox, shared their lovely news with fans on Instagram.
11 of 14Liam Payne and Maya Henry
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne is engaged to 20-year-old model Maya Henry after she was spotted wearing a '£3 million engagement ring'. Liam confirmed the news during an interview on Good Morning America, admitting the pair are 'so happy'.
12 of 14Kerry Katona and Ryan maloney
Kerry Katona's boyfriend Ryan Maloney popped the question to her during a family holiday in Spain in August! Announcing her lovely news on Instagram, Kerry wrote, 'Well what a bloody amazing 40th I've had.... honestly couldn't of spent it any better with the people I love the most.. and with a massive twist too..... here we go again! ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0fud83dudc8dud83eudd42', (sic)
13 of 14Lucy Watson and James Dunmore
Made In Chelsea stars Lucy Watson and James Dunmore announced their engagement in September, after James proposed to his girl during a holiday in Greece.
14 of 14Binky Felstead
Made In Chelsea favourite Binky Felstead announced she's engaged to Max Darnton in September after he popped the question with a MASSIVE diamond ring.
You’ve now booked your wedding venue. How does that feel?
It’s crazy to think it’s in June, but at the same time – because of corona – the wedding still feels like make-believe. But my wedding planner’s like, “Kick your arse into gear.” It’s exciting, but it’s still hard to plan anything.
Grantley Hall [in Yorkshire] is a very posh venue – will you still have a boozy knees-up?
I mean, the majority of our guests are really wild. That’s why it was important for us to find a venue that we could book exclusively. I don’t want that nightmare of people witnessing the carnage or upsetting someone’s nice romantic weekend.
You and Brad are staying in Manchester for Christmas. Is he good at giving gifts?
Yeah, I’m very spoilt. I’m normally treated to something lovely – handbags are always a lovely surprise under the tree! But I like spoiling him, too.
In your opinion, when’s an appropriate time to open the bubbly on Christmas Day?
I don’t think it can be too early. We always do Buck’s Fizz, so I think it’s from the moment you open your eyes, really!
The full series of Olivia Meets Her Match is available now on ITV Hub.
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - out now.