Perrie reveals her relatable struggles of a long distance relationship
Her fiancé works in Turkey
Last updated 12th Apr 2024
Perrie joined Angellica, James and Matt on Hits Radio Breakfast to talk about her amazing debut solo song 'Forget About Us', her upcoming album which is yet to be named, and making a long distance relationship work with a young son.
The singer, who is best-known for her time with Little Mix, releasing hits like 'Shout Out To My Ex' and 'Salut', has been in a relationship with footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for eight years now, sharing their two-year-old son Axel, but as she explained, it's not all plain sailing now that he works in Turkey.
Alex, who previously played for Liverpool and Arsenal, now plays for Beşiktaş in Turkey, and as Perrie explained, it's "really hard".
"Do you know what? I have to be honest, I'm not going to sugarcoat it, it's blooming hard," Perrie admitted. "It's REALLY hard. I'm struggling a bit with the Turkey situation.
"When he played for Arsenal it was great because he was just, you know, down the road, Liverpool, Manchester... Not that bad, but Turkey! Turkey is a little bit further and the thing is they're so busy, like they train every day practically, and he doesn't really get the time, so I have (to).
"Along with juggling my career, my child, and my relationship, I have to do it all, which is fun. So much fun! I also hate flying, so that's great," she joked. "But do you know what? We make it work, because we make it work for the ones we love. So it's fun, it's exciting, it still keeps it fresh, I think."
Rumours that Perrie and Alex were dating first started back in November 2016, when Perrie performed 'Shout Out To My Ex' on The X Factor with her Little Mix bandmates. Alex was spotted in the audience, with the footballer posing for photos with a number of fans.
They later went Instagram official in January 2017, after Perrie posted a photo of Alex and their dogs at the dinner table, although it was subsequently deleted, but a month later she posted a gorgeous pic of the couple in front of the Eiffel Tower at night.
Take a look through Perrie and Alex's relationship timeline:
November 2016
Rumours that Perrie and Alex were dating first started in November 2016, when Perrie went back to The X Factor with her Little Mix band mates to perform their single 'Shout Out To My Ex'.
Alex was spotted supporting Perrie in the audience, with the footballer posing for photos with a number of fans.
January 2017
Despite things going quiet between the two over the festive period, Perrie and Alex went Instagram official in January 2017, when Perrie uploaded this cute photo of Alex with their dogs at the dinner table.
January 2017
Not long after the snap was uploaded, Little Mix singer Perrie swiftly deleted the photo from her account, leaving fans thinking the pair had split before they'd really got going.
One fan tweeted, 'Perrie deleted the photo of her dogs and Alex from her Instagram :('. sic
February 2017
Squashing any split rumours, Perrie uploaded this VERY loved-up photo of herself kissing Alex in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Perrie captioned the shot with, 'Him'.
February 2017
During their romantic trip to Paris, Perrie and Alex left fans in stitches when they used Snapchat's popular FaceSwap filter to pose for this photo.
February 2017
Perrie and Alex attended their first MAJOR event together as a couple when Alex supported Perrie and the rest of Little Mix at the 2017 BRIT Awards.
Some fans even started to speculate that Perrie could be pregnant after she posed for the cute photo holding her stomach. (This wasn't the case!)
June 2017
Perrie and Alex took a major step in their romance in June 2017, enjoying their first holiday together as a couple.
June 2017
The loved-up couple travelled to a VERY exotic location, keeping fans up to date by posting snaps from their trip.
August 2017
When Alex celebrated his 24th birthday in August 2017, Perrie shared this cute photo of her beau to her Instagram page, writing the caption, 'Happy birthday my love. 24! If I can wake up to this for the rest of my life that would be wonderful! 🙌🏻'. sic
August 2017
Perrie played the role of a supportive girlfriend later on in the month, by watching Alex as his team Arsenal played in The FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
September 2017
The relationship seemed to seemed to be going from strength to strength until Alex transferred clubs from Arsenal to Liverpool in September 2017. Many fans feared the pair would break up and Perrie would get her heart broken again due to Alex's move North.
September 2017
But it didn't ruin things for the pair, and their relationship stayed strong. Perrie was quick to shut that rumour down, saying, "I'm based in London, so I've got no plans to move up there. I don't think it will be difficult. It's going to be different, but that's not a problem. We'll be fine. I'm just really happy for him and very proud."
December 2017
Just weeks before Christmas, Perrie delighted her fans by revealing the adorable nickname she has for Alex. Posting this loved-up snap to her socials, Perrie quote Dory from Finding Nemo and wrote, 'I shall call him SQUISHY and he shall be MINE and he shall be MY squishy! 🤗❤️'. sic
December 2017
Perrie and Alex enjoyed their first Christmas together in 2017, and it looks like they certainly made the most of it! Perrie uploaded this adorable snap of herself gazing into Alex's eyes on Christmas Day. She wrote, 'Merry Christmas everyone! I hope Santa was generous! I got exactly what I wanted... and I'm staring at it 👀❤️ Wishing everyone health, happiness AND LOVE! Feeling forever grateful! ☺️ oh and YES that's hatchi on my pj's @alexoxchamberlain you da BESTEST! 😍'. sic
January 2018
The couple also spent New Year's Eve together, despite Alex going to bed early so he was fresh for his football game the next day!
February 2018
When February 2018 came around, Alex was yet again on hand to support his girlfriend at the BRIT Awards. Sitting on Little Mix's table with the rest of the Little Mix boyfriends. It looks like the pair had a great night!
August 2018
After spending a few months away as she travelled the UK for Little Mix's 'Summer Hits Tour', Perrie and Alex enjoyed a getaway to Greek island Mykonos.
And it wasn't long before they proved just why they are relationship GOALS!
August 2018
They posted photos of themselves looking AMAZING and even called themselves the 'Barbie & Malibu Ken'.
October 2018
Later that year, Perrie THRILLED fans after she left a naughty comment on Alex's Instagram profile. When Alex shared a photo of himself running on a treadmill with the caption, 'On the grind', Perrie cheekily commented, 'Ama grind on you.' Saucy!
November 2018
Fans were CONVINCED that Perrie and Alex had tied the knot in secret after she posted an Instagram Story. Sharing a photo of an advent calendar to her Instagram Story, she wrote, 'Why is my mother in law the best/cutest person ever! I actually LOVE her', across the photo - also tagging in Alex.
Despite Perrie and Alex not yet being engaged, fans were convinced that they have already tied the knot saying, 'I sincerely hope this is true! You both deserve the Best Happiness forever💕💕💕💕', another commented, 'wait are perrie and alex married?'. sic
February 2019
After the pair appeared at the BRIT Awards 2019 together, fans became suspicious that Alex was about to PROPOSE to Perrie. According to reports, Alex was asked by a reporter at a BRIT Awards after-party on Wednesday night about a potential proposal, to which he nodded and winked!
February 2019
Alex also gushed over his girlfriend on Instagram, sharing a picture of the pair at the BRITs together with the heartfelt caption, 'What a night! So proud of you and what you continue to achieve, picking up your second BRIT award! 🏆.'
March 2019
In March, Perrie sparked rumours that they had moved in together, after posting a series of photos on her Instagram Story of Alex making pancakes for her, as well as being introduced to her cat, Jack.
May 2019
However, in May 2019, Perrie revealed in an interview with Glamour magazine that Alex had moved to Manchester for work, and that her issues with anxiety were preventing her from getting a train to see him.
She said, "Even now, my boyfriend lives in Manchester because he plays for Liverpool so when he moved, then once this started happening. I still can't get the train on my own, it freaks me out and makes me feel really claustrophobic. I feel uneasy."
June 2019
Perrie supported her boyfriend when his team Liverpool played in the Champions League Final in June 2019. After watching Liverpool win the game from the stands, Perrie joined Alex on the pitch to join in the celebrations.
She even got a snap with the rather large trophy!
August 2019
The loved-up pair continued to give us relationship goals throughout the summer, attending Reading and Leeds Festival together.
The pair dressed up in their best festival attire as they posed for a snap on Instagram backstage at the gig.
November 2019
Eagle-eyed fans spotted that Perrie spelled her own boyfriend's name wrong when praising him on her Instagram Story - but she responded in the best way, leading fans to think they could be engaged...
Perrie then shared Alex's Story on her own Story, and added the words, 'It'll be way easier to spell when it's my second name and I have to write it all the time! 😏 ' Of course, such a blatant reference to marrying Alex and taking his second name as her own had fans in an absolute tizz over the possibility that they might already be preparing to tie the knot!
December 2019
Although they've still not officially announced an engagement, Perrie and Alex shared some super cute snaps back in December whilst looking very poshed-up for a charity ball in aide of The James Milner Foundation! Perrie captioned the post, 'Here's some rare selfies I forced my boyfriend to do! Enjoy 🖤.' Alex shared the same photos on his account, writing, 'Why so serious... 😁🖤.'
March 2020
After all Premier League football games were postponed due to Coronavirus, Perrie and Alex were keeping themselves entertained during their precautionary self-isolation.
The couple took part in a Tik Tok challenge which saw them dancing perfectly in-sync as they make their way up the steps.
June 2020
After Alex's football team Liverpool were crowned the champions of the English Premier League, Perrie gushed about her man, sharing a cute snap of him celebrating.
She wrote on her Instagram Story, 'This picture makes me so happy! HE makes me so happy!' (sic)
July 2020
Perrie chatted to Guilty Pleasures in July 2020 about her relationship with Alex, revealing that the pair won't be getting engaged "any time soon" but added that he is her "forever". Aww!
August 2020
After surviving lockdown together, Perrie and Alex enjoyed a holiday in Ibiza before the new rules come into place. Sharing this photo on Instagram, Pez wrote, 'I'm yacht goin to lie, I'm all a-boat lovin' you. It's al-waves fun when we on the boat & ma boy lookin ship shape! ☀️'. (sic)
November 2020
Just one day ahead of their four year anniversary on the 6th November, Perrie shared this cute snap of the pair to her Instagram Story, cheekily plugging Little Mix's album 'Confetti' in the process.
May 2021
Just days after Perrie's Little Mix band mate Leigh-Anne Pinnock announced her pregnancy, Perrie and Alex confirmed they are also expecting their first child together, sharing some super cute photos clutching Perrie's baby bump!
August 2021
Perrie and Alex welcomed their bundle of joy into the world on Saturday 21st August 2021! The couple shared this adorable photo with their fans on Instagram, but they haven't yet revealed the name or gender of their first born.
September 2021
Two weeks after giving birth, Perrie announced she'd welcomed a baby boy with Alex, with the pair revealing they've decided to call him Axel Oxlade-Chamberlain.
November 2021
Perrie and Alex celebrated their fifth anniversary at the start of November 2021. Pez posted an unseen holiday snap of the pair with the caption: 'Happy 5 years of love to my baby Daddy! ♥️'. (sic)
June 2022
Alex proposed to Perrie during a luxury holiday together on the beach front! Taking to Instagram to share the news, Pez told her followers: 'Happy first Father's Day to the best Dadda Axel could ever wish for! ♥️'.
July 2023: Perrie's 30th birthday
Perrie shared an adorable family snap to her Instagram grid to mark her 30th birthday! Referencing the classic Noughties film 13 Going On 30, Perrie wrote: 'So this is Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving?! Thank you so much for all the birthday love & wishes! Feeling so blessed and content at 30!🥰.'
August 2023: Perrie revealed the inspiration behind Axel's middle name
Perrie revealed the inspiration behind Axel's middle name was his dad Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Axel's middle name is Xander, and of course with Alex's full name being Alexander, he is the inspiration behind their son's name. Cute!
August 2023: Axel's second birthday
Perrie and Alex celebrated Axel's second birthday in August 2023, sharing these adorable snaps of him in Toy Story dress alongside the caption: 'Happy birthday to my darling Axel! 2 ALREADY! I don't think I could have ever dreamt up something as wonderful and perfect as you. You've completely changed my life for the better! My funny, cheeky, intelligent, gorgeous bubba! I love you so so much!'
April 2024: Perrie opens up about their long distance relationship
Perrie opened up to us in an interview about how it was tough being in a long distance relationship, with Perrie here in the UK and Alex in Turkey. She told us: "Do you know what? I have to be honest, I'm not going to sugarcoat it, it's blooming hard," Perrie admitted. "It's REALLY hard. I'm struggling a bit with the Turkey situation.
"When he played for Arsenal it was great because he was just, you know, down the road, Liverpool, Manchester... Not that bad, but Turkey! Turkey is a little bit further and the thing is they're so busy, like they train every day practically, and he doesn't really get the time, so I have (to).
"Along with juggling my career, my child, and my relationship, I have to do it all, which is fun. So much fun! I also hate flying, so that's great," she joked. "But do you know what? We make it work, because we make it work for the ones we love. So it's fun, it's exciting, it still keeps it fresh, I think."
June 2024: Perrie and Alex enjoy time together
With the football season out, Perrie and Alex headed off on holiday together with their son Axel in June 2024. Whilst there, Perrie took part in a Q&A with fans, where she revealed it's 'quality over quantity' when it comes to how much she gets to see Alex due to him living in Turkey for his job.
July 2024: The family jet off on holiday
In July 2024, Perrie shared some adorable snaps of her family, including a few of their son Axel enjoying the sun! Among them were two pictures of herself and her fiancé, and fans were over the moon to see them enjoying quality time together.
November 2024: Perrie and Alex celebrate 8 years together
As the pair celebrated eight years together on 6th November, Perrie shared this cute photo to her Instagram Story, alongside the caption: '8 years! Ily so much'. (sic)
Perrie also opened up about her new single 'Forget About Us' and other songs on her debut solo album, which she hopes to release by the end of this year.
The singer told Angellica, James and Matt: "Definitely this year because it's ready and I couldn't have it for any longer... I'll just leak it myself!"
You can hear songs by Perrie on Hits Radio.
How to listen to Angellica, James and Matt on Hits Radio
You can listen to the Hits Radio Breakfast show with Angellica, James and Matt every weekday morning between 6am and 10am.
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