Luke Evans confirms split from long-term partner Rafael Olarra

The actor admitted ‘it is what it is’

(Getty Images)

Luke Evans has confirmed rumours that he split from art director Rafael Olarra after 18 months.

Fans have speculated about the break-up since October, when Evans, 41, unfollowed Olarra on Instagram and deleted all photos of his ex from the social media account.

Evans has not spoken publicly about the break-up until now, but admitted in an interview with The Times that he was newly single, adding: “It is what it is.”

Evans and Olarra began dating in summer 2019 and made their romance Instagram official in February 2020, when Evans posted a video of the two laughing together during a trip to Hawaii, along with the caption: “He loves my welsh humour… no, honestly!! He does!!”

Since the split all photographs of the pair have been removed from their social media accounts, including one of the couple riding on horseback with the caption: “Good times.”

Olarra also removed a post he shared of a print out photograph of the couple displayed on his bedside table. 

Olarra and Evans in happier times (lukeevans/instagram)

Despite the break-up, the Beauty and the Beast actor also discussed his hopes to become a father one day.

"I thought about it many times and as I get older I'm thinking maybe I should get on and do it. I don't want to be an old dad … but I would like to be a dad," he said.

"There's a lot of satisfaction to passing on your experiences and rearing a strong, open-minded, kind, respectful human being who can go out in the world and do something good."

Although Evans is private about his personal life, he has spoken openly about his sexuality in the past, admitting he’s "never tried to hide it."

The actor - who left home at 16 after coming out as gay to his parents - added: "When people did find out I was gay, there was a lot of stuff written saying I was hiding it, and I wasn’t… [being gay] is not a big issue, and it’s never going to be a big issue for me."