Why James Haskell’s outing with new girlfriend Sara McLean will ‘sting’ for ex-wife Chloe Madeley

James Haskell stepped out with his new Big Brother star girlfriend Sara McLean earlier this week, with the pair enjoying a day at the races.

However, they happened to be spotted holding hands at the very same races James attended with ex-wife Chloe Madeley on a loved-up day out ahead of their split.

James and Chloe announced their split in October 2023. But, in the spring of 2022, they were pictured kissing and cuddling at the Cheltenham Festival. Fast forward a couple of years and James and Sara are at Cheltenham lookined loved up.

Now, one expert has exclusively told ED! that the tactile display, in a place James and Chloe enjoyed happier times, “could sting a bit” for his ex…

James Haskell appears to have a new girlfriend and they went public earlier this week (Credit: Splash News)

James Haskell debuts new girlfriend at Cheltenham

Human behaviour expert and psychologist Jessen James told ED! that, although enough time has passed for Chloe to “process the breakup“, she may have been caught “off guard” over James’ decision to showcase his new romance at the races.

“Enough time has likely passed for Chloe Madeley to have processed the breakup. So she may be emotionally settled. However, from a psychological perspective, the choice to debut a new relationship so publicly could still catch her off guard. Or it could bring back some lingering feelings. Even if she’s mostly moved on,” said Jessen.

He then added: “Public displays of moving on can, in many people, activate social comparison. So this might be playing on her mind.”

Sara McLean was pictured holding hands with James Haskell this week at Cheltenham (Credit: Splash News)

‘It could sting a bit’

So will it be a kick in the teeth that James has done it at Cheltenham – a place where they enjoyed loved-up days out?

“It could sting a bit, since going to a place where they had happy memories together might bring some old feelings back,” Jessen said.

As a single man he is free to date who he wants.

“Psychologically, shared places can hold emotional attachment. Especially when an ex is making new memories and potentially overriding those memories with you.

“It can make that person feel a loss and unsettled feeling in their mind. Even if Chloe is over it,” he then added.

“Humans are very attached to memories and this could be playing with her mind – especially as the first public date is at one of their old spots.”

James and ex-wife Chloe Madeley enjoyed a day at the same racecourse back in 2022 (Credit: Splash News)

James’ reputation could take a battering

Jessen pointed out that James is a single man and “free to date who he wants”. However, while it may be seen as high self-confidence to some, there is a “flip side” when it comes to the impact dating numerous women soon after his split could have on his reputation.

Earlier this year he was linked to Chloe-lookalike Helen Barclay.

“There are two positions here,” Jessen said. “As a single man, he is free to date who he wants and some might see it as being confident in yourself. But on the flip side, some may see it as immature if he continues to date lots of women and seems to like the attention it brings.

“But here is the thing,” he then added, “from a deeper psychological standpoint, people may perceive this behaviour as a way of avoiding deeper emotional work or trying to mask his vulnerability. And this could affect how other people view him in the long run.”

Issuing a warning to James, Jessen added: “At the end of the day, it might be better for him to keep his love life out of the spotlight. Sharing too much could bring unwanted attention and make it harder for him to move on or build a real connection with his new partner.

“Keeping things private gives him space to heal and avoids people speculating,” he then added. However, he concluded: “But ultimately, he is in charge of his owns decisions. He has walked that road before so he should know what he is doing in that respect.”

ED! readers wade in on James Haskell and girlfriend Sara’s PDA

However, while many ED! readers believe James is allowed to be happy, others think it’s a bit of a “low blow” going public with new girlfriend Sara at Cheltenham. After all, it was a place where James and ex-wife Chloe shared happier times.

In our exclusive poll, 60% of respondents told us: “He’s entitled to move on. But it’s a bit of a low blow doing it at a place they enjoyed visiting as a couple.”

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Read more: James Haskell shut down ‘sex marathon’ claims ahead of split from Chloe Madeley

So what do you think about James moving on so publically? Tell us on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.

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