Dean McDermott blames Tori Spelling for the mounting issues in their 17-year union becoming public knowledge, according to a new report.
“For a very long time, Tori used their marital problems to stay relevant,” a source described as a mutual friend of the estranged couple told the Daily Mail Monday.
“Everyone knew about their issues, and she didn’t play it down, she played it — even going so far [as] to go outside where she knew paparazzi were waiting holding papers that were a clear indication of a divorce.”
The photos, which Pvnew exclusively obtained in October 2021, “really took a toll on Dean,” according to the source, who claimed the former “Chopped Canada” host has told his friends that “nothing he does … will ever be good enough” for the “Beverly Hills, 90210” star.
“Dean has changed and worked very hard to be the husband she needed him to be, but she is still demanding and entitled,” the insider explained.
The insight comes one week after McDermott, 56, posted — and swiftly deleted — an announcement that he and Spelling, 50, were separating.
The actress was later photographed wearing a “Boys Lie” T-shirt while her husband removed boxes of his belongings from their home.
The Daily Mail’s source claimed the pair were struggling with financial issues behind the scenes while raising their five kids.
“Tori did not feel like Dean was holding his weight,” the pal shared.
“She kept wanting more and more, and from Tori’s perspective, she always just felt like Dean wasn’t carrying his half. She feels like she had to raise all their children on her own, and, for the most part, she is right.”
The on-again, off-again couple, who said “I do” in May 2006, are parents to Liam, 16, Stella, 15, Hattie, 11, Finn, 10, and Beau, 6.
“She wanted him to start working and bring home money to support their family, and he landed major role in a Canadian TV series and some big movie parts,” the source elaborated, referencing McDermott’s roles in “Pretty Hard Cases” and “My Fake Boyfriend.”
“She wanted him to be a better father to their kids, and he has devoted all his free time to them,” they continued.
“She wanted him to be more romantic, and he would go out of his way to bring her flowers, constantly showering her with gifts to show her how much he loved her, and it finally sunk in.”
While the actor’s deleted Instagram post sparked confusion among fans, a separate source revealed last week that he is “100 percent serious” about getting divorced.
“[He] 100 percent wants to get out of the marriage,” the insider told People.
“He took down the post because Tori didn’t want him to keep it up. But he’s packing his bags.”
In the since-deleted post, McDermott wrote, “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.
“We will continue to work together as loving parents and guide and love our children through this difficult time,” he continued.
“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.”
Another insider close to the family also thought the pair’s relationship struggles — which include a highly publicized cheating scandal in 2013 — were behind them.
“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 source told People, emphasizing that the impending divorce came “out of the blue.”
Reps for McDermott and Spelling have not responded to Pvnew’s requests for comment.
The pair have long been open about their marital woes through the years but brushed off rumblings of a divorce on multiple occasions.
Throughout 2021, the “Stori Telling” author and the “Due South” star were seen without their wedding rings.
And in the aforementioned paparazzi photos, she was caught screaming on the phone outside a lawyer’s office while carrying notes about “custody,” “support” and “assets.”
