How sharp ‘pinup' Laura Woods ‘tamed' party-loving playboy Adam Collard & was his rock through secret heartache
LAUR THE ONE How sharp 'pinup' Laura Woods 'tamed' party-loving playboy Adam Collard & was his rock through secret heartache
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WHEN news first broke that celebrated sports presenter Laura Woods was dating Love Island's most notorious "love rat," Adam Collard, the internet was in a frenzy.
The man who had a reputation for leaving a trail of broken hearts was now linked to a woman praised for her sharp wit, professionalism, and warm demeanor.
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Laura Woods and Adam Collard have been dating since October 2023
Credit: Instagram
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A source close to the couple revealed: 'Adam says Laura is his soulmate'
Credit: Instagram
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Adam Collard is currently appearing in SAS: Who Dares Wins
Credit: PA
The pairing, who have nine years age difference, seemed an unlikely match, yet fast forward to 2025, the couple is not only engaged but have also welcomed a baby boy, Leo, into the world.
The pair, who began dating in October 2023, proves that some of the best partnerships are built on the foundation of opposites.
A source close to the couple revealed: 'Adam says Laura is his soulmate.
'He told everyone she was The One as soon as he met her - he'd seen her on TV before and always fancied her, she was like his ultimate pinup - but as he got to know her he realised she was so much more than just her looks.
'They are incredibly similar - driven, motivated, passionate, fun-loving but also homebodies.
Adam doesn't even go out anymore.
'He's like a recluse (unless he's working or training he doesn't leave Laura's side).
'They like to stay in and cook together - he does most of the cooking for her! And they love going to his gym together - he also trains her.
'They love walking the dog and going for family days out - it's all about making memories for him and being the best dad he can be.
Adam Collard Opens Up About Laura Woods' Miscarriage and His Troubled Past
'They love going on holiday too - they do everything together unless they're working.
'They don't go out these days as they don't like to leave the baby anyway.
'Adam is a totally different person to his Love Island days! He's got no interest in partying anymore.'
Adam, 29, once famous for his "bad boy" image on Love Island and a string of tumultuous relationships, has openly admitted that his life with Laura, 38, is a stark departure from his past.
Adam is very sensitive and he's been through some tough times but Laura has brought him back from the brink
Source
In an interview with London Post, Adam called Laura his "soulmate," and a "real deal" he's been looking for.
He has also spoken about the age difference between them, stating that he's always been drawn to a more mature and settled dynamic, which is what he found in Laura.
This marks a shift from his previous relationships, many of which were with younger women he met on reality TV.
The source continues: 'He loves how successful she is, but he was really captivated by how confident and independent she is.
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Laura gave birth to their son Leo in January 2025
Credit: Instagram @laurawoodsy
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Adam Collard proposed to Laura Woods in September 2024
Credit: INSTAGRAM @laurawoodsy
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Laura took to Instagram to thank Adam for his unwavering support during her pregnancy and her return to work
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy/
'She's very mature and he loves how passionate she is about her work.
'She was the total opposite to the other girls he had been with. She's also incredibly supportive of him.'
But their relationship hasn't been without its challenges, both public and private. For Laura, her fame has come with a dark side.
In a harrowing ordeal that spanned over two years, a female football fan became obsessed with the presenter, sending her unsolicited gifts and food deliveries to her home, as well as threatening to kidnap and kill her dog.
We all joke with him that he's punching but he totally agrees - he knows he is
Source
The stalker was eventually jailed for 14 months and a restraining order was issued.
The chilling threats left Laura in "real fear" and forced her to increase security around her home and workplace.
This personal ordeal was followed by another heartbreaking moment.
The couple recently revealed they went through a devastating miscarriage at 11 weeks. Adam, in an interview ahead of his appearance on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, candidly admitted he feared the miscarriage was "bad karma" for his past actions as a "love rat".
Adam's Instagram posts from late 2024 also hinted at a year of immense personal struggle, including a diagnosis of depression, but he credited his relationship and his son as reasons for hope and positivity.
Laura, in turn, has openly praised Adam for being an incredible partner and father.
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Laura Woods commentating on the Women's euros 2025
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Adam has often spoken about how Laura is "the one"
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy/
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Adam has said that their relationship is "just normal"
Credit: Instagram
The source continues: 'Laura has been his rock as he navigated his battle with depression.
'Adam is very sensitive and he's been through some tough times but Laura has brought him back from the brink.
'I don't think he would mind us saying he absolutely worships her.
"Who knows where he would be without her.
'We all joke with him that he's punching but he totally agrees - he knows he is. Laura is way out of his league in the nicest possible way.
'Essentially all Adam actually needed was an older woman who knows who she is, and with an established career.
She was his happy place - and he never wanted to see her hurt again
Source
'It helped that they started their romance out of the spotlight too - they kept it private for a while and I think that really helped them get to know each other properly without any pressure.'
After giving birth to Leo in January 2025, she took to Instagram to thank him for his unwavering support during her pregnancy and her return to work.
She said in a post: "I don't always big him up publicly because he knows how I feel about him... But for a moment, I just want to say how proud I am of him. And how my heart bursts watching him be a dad to Leo and how bloody good he is at it."
Adam Collard's dating history
Laura Woods (2023 - present)
Adam and Laura started dating in October 2023. They are engaged and have a son called Leo together.
Lottie Moss (2023)
Before getting together with Laura, Adam went out with Lottie Moss for two months, after meeting on Celebs Go Dating.
Paige Thorne (2022)
During his second stint on Love Island in summer 2022, Adam coupled up with Welsh paramedic Paige Thorne. Their relationship continued after the show, but only until that October.
Demi Sims (2020)
Adam was pictured snogging Towie's Demi on a night out, but it never developed into a fully fledged relationship.
Sarah Godfrey (2019 - 2020)
Adam dated fitness influencer Sarah Godfrey from September 2019 until January 2020.
Zara McDermott (2018 - 2019)
His most high profile relationship prior to Laura, Adam coupled up with Zara McDermott on the 2018 series of Love Island. Things appeared serious when they got couple AC and Z tattoos. They dated for eight months before splitting in February 2019.
Kendall Rae-Knight & Rosie Williams (2018)
Earning his reputation as a playboy, Adam, then 22, was coupled up with Kendall, and then Rosie, before his head turned for Zara when she entered Love Island as a Bombshell.
It's clear that Laura has not only been a rock for Adam, but she's also played a role in his personal growth.
Adam has often spoken about how Laura is "the one" and that he doesn't have a lot in common with people his own age anymore.
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The couple together with their son Leo
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy/
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Adam got down on one knee at five star hotel in Cornwall
Credit: Instagram
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Laura is Adam's "happy place"
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy
He has said that their relationship is "just normal" and that they "balance each other out, in a positive way".
Our source says: 'He always wanted marriage and kids but he was never happy enough to settle down.
'Adam always wanted more and more - he was very superficial and nobody was ever good enough.
'As soon as he met Laura all that changed - you could immediately see how happy he was, not only was she his dream woman but she felt the same as he did - she wanted marriage and kids too and they didn't want to waste any more time.
'Adam didn't really talk much about the miscarriage when it happened - he was very private out of respect for Laura, but we knew he was heartbroken, he was withdrawn and so sad.
'He blamed himself and it really broke him for a while seeing Laura suffering - we knew he loved her already, but it was that moment where he knew she was his forever.
'She was his happy place - and he never wanted to see her hurt again.
'It made him determined to give her and himself the happy-ever-after.
"She made him want to be the best dad and family man he could be.'
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