Dean McDermott’s now-deleted Instagram post announcing his separation from Tori Spelling came as a shock to those closest to the couple.
McDermott and Spelling appeared to be in a better place before he posted — and swiftly removed — his announcement Saturday that they were divorcing, multiple sources told People Monday.
“Their friends have seen their ups and downs through the years, but they really did seem to be in a good place in recent months,” one insider close to the “Beverly Hills, 90210” star shared.
“This feels really out of the blue. If this had happened a year ago, it would’ve been expected because things were terrible between them. Sure, they still had their disagreements and didn’t always see eye to eye, but the past six months things had felt good between them.”
A second insider close to the family also thought the pair’s relationship struggles — which include a highly publicized cheating scandal — were behind them.
“They were definitely trying in the last few months though, and things felt way less toxic,” the second source explained.
“They also made an effort to make holidays and milestones special and were much more in tune with each other. It’s been a night-and-day difference from the last couple years.”
The report comes after McDermott, 56, took to social media to reveal that he and Spelling, 50, were going their separate ways.
“It’s with great sadness and a very very heavy heart that after 18 years together and 5 amazing children, that @torispelling and I have decided to go our separate ways, and start a new journey of our own,” he wrote alongside a photo of himself with his wife and their kids.
The former “Chopped Canada” host went on, “We will continue to work together as loving parents and guide and love our children through this difficult time.
“We ask that you all respect our privacy as we take this time to surround our family with love and work our way through this. Thank you all for your support and kindness.”
Reps for McDermott and Spelling have not responded to Pvnew’s requests for comment.
Strangely, the “Scary Movie 2” actress did not share the since-deleted statement on her account — nor did she publicly wish her husband a happy Father’s Day Sunday, so the current status of their relationship remains unclear.
The couple — who said “I do” in May 2006 — share sons Liam, 16, Finn, 10, and Beau, 6, as well as daughters Stella, 15, and Hattie, 11.
McDermott and Spelling have long been open about their marital woes but have brushed off rumblings of a divorce on multiple occasions.
The most recent rumors of a separation began to swirl after the “Stori Telling” author and the “Due South” actor were seen without their wedding rings in 2021.
That same year, she was photographed screaming on the phone outside a lawyer’s office while carrying notes about “custody,” “support” and “assets.”
McDermott previously admitted to cheating on his wife in late 2013 before checking himself into rehab for sex addiction in early 2014.
