Whether on screen, or off, it goes without saying that Jonathan Bailey could conjure chemistry with just about anyone, whether with a real life partner or co-star. Now officially dubbed 2025’s Sexiest Man Alive (we can’t argue with that), it’s hard to resist the urge to delve into his dating history – for curiosity’s sake.
And who could blame a person for letting the mind wander to such a thing? While the mutton chops may have kept some from falling for the headstrong viscount in Bridgerton season one, by the second season, audiences around the world were positively overcome with thirst for Anthony and his tension-filled enemies-to-lovers pipeline. The Duke of Hastings became but a blip in the Bridgerton universe when Anthony told Kate she was the bane of his existence and object of all of his desires. And who could forget that wet shirt scene? Mr Darcy, who?
If the world needed any more evidence of Jonathan Bailey’s electric on-screen energy, there was no denying the emotional onslaught we endured while watching Tim “Skippy” Laughlin lock eyes (and more) with Hawk in Fellow Travelers.
By the time Wicked rolled around, we were borderline sick for Bailey and his slutty little shorts. And just when we thought the obsession couldn’t get any more out of hand, he went and gifted us with his slutty little glasses during promo for his upcoming Jurassic World film.
Needless to say, the question of whether or not Jonathan Bailey has a partner, has never felt more urgent.
Below, a deep dive into the actor’s dating history and current relationship status.
Is Jonathan Bailey Single?
Image: Getty
They say that relationships thrive off an element of mystery, so when Bailey continues to keep us guessing when it comes to his love life, it only makes us love him more.
While he’s played many a straight-woman’s fantasy on screen, off it, he’s a proudly gay man who’s grappled with his own complicated feelings about sharing his sexuality with the world. “Of course I thought that in order to be happy I needed to be straight,” he told GQ in 2022 about why he’d struggled with the idea of coming out publicly for so long.
“I reached a point where I thought, Fuck this, I’d much prefer to hold my boyfriend’s hand in public or be able to put my own face picture on Tinder and not be so concerned about that than getting a part.”
Despite the famously private actor making it a priority to keep his personal life out of the public eye, in December 2023 fans were offered a rare insight into his dating history during an interview with the Evening Standard .
While he made it clear his relationship status was totally off-limits, he did admit “there’s a lovely man,” adding, “It’s not secret, but it’s private.”
“Having a private life is, for me, completely critical. I don’t know if I would be able to be as confident to speak out on other things if I felt that my whole life was up for grabs.”
Who Has He Dated In The Past?
Jonathan Bailey and his then-partner James Ellis. Image: Getty
Jonathan Bailey was awarded a nod for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the 2019 Olivier Awards, but it wasn’t just his acclaimed performance that earned him the internet’s attention that evening.
Before taking to the stage to accept his award, he shared a sweet kiss with his date for the evening – brand manager James Ellis.
Though not much is known about the equally as private Ellis, and the pair never confirmed their relationship either way, the joyful exchange was enough to satisfy the curious minds regardless.
Since then, we’ve heard very little about his romantic interests, but despite this, Bailey was surprisingly candid about whether he wants to tackle the role of fatherhood in the future.
“Yes, it’s such a privilege for a man,” he told British Vogue in January this year. “But I can’t bring children into my lifestyle now,” he continued. “I want to make sure I’m going to be present. I’m reading books on adoption. I might coparent with a woman, but I’m thinking it will be with a man.”
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