TO the outside world, multi-millionaire Andy Carroll was living the dream with his glamorous lover in France – having quickly moved on from his failed marriage.
But behind the flashy social media snaps of his lavish holidays with celeb make-up artist Lou Teasdale, pals of the former England striker claim the pair were at loggerheads over clashing lifestyles.
Sources say teetotal Lou would prefer Andy to quit drinking – having been described as his “rock” during their year-long romance.
Their split came just eight weeks after he was twice-quizzed by cops over drunken bust-ups with Lou on the Greek party island of Mykonos.
A mutual friend of the former couple said: “Andy’s had a really tough 12 months and has struggled a lot since his marriage breakdown.
“Lou, who is sober, would prefer him to give up boozing, although she has dated other men who drink alcohol in the past.
“Andy’s mad about the idea, but she’s got his best interests at heart.
“She’s been there throughout all the ups and downs over the past year and really does love him.
“But it’s all been very toxic and upsetting. It’s as if they can’t live with or without each other.
“There are changes that Andy has to make – but it’s whether he is committed enough to do that.
“For now, he felt like he couldn’t make certain promises, but who knows what the future will hold for them both.”
Carroll’s whirlwind romance began just weeks after he split from Towie star Billi Mucklow, mum to three of his five kids, in summer 2024.
But cracks began to show between the couple as their honeymoon period was rocked by fiery rows.
Batting away fears he’d rashly jumped into a new relationship, the 36-year-old doubled down on his decision to go public with mum-of-one Lou in October.
He even confirmed plans to pop the question once his divorce was finalised, posting an engagement ring emoji under his girlfriend’s Instagram pic.
It’s believed Andy’s move back to Blighty after two years playing for French side Bordeaux fuelled the dramatic showdown with Lou.
The new Dagenham & Redbridge player says he now “just wants to focus on football and his kids” – but friends fear they’ll both be dragged back into the “toxic” relationship.
Just days after splitting, the exes are at war over who was the one to pull the plug on their tempestuous love affair.
“Since being back home in England, Andy and Lou have had the head-space to think about what they really want out of this relationship,” our source added.
“There have been a hell of a lot of ups and downs but now he’s started a fresh chapter at Dagenham, Lou made clear what Andy needs to do to keep her.”
Lou ignored news of the split breaking last night – posting a boat snap from Ibiza.
She declined to comment when approached by The Sun.
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