Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to know why Imogen Poots broke up with James Norton

344 replies

ThatNimblePeer · 27/05/2025 19:52

Obviously absolutely none of my business, but I don’t think anyone in my real life knows who these people are, so I’m sharing it here in case anyone shares my mini obsession.

Imogen Poots is a gorgeous 35 year old British actress who was engaged to James Norton (I’m guessing I don’t need to explain here who he is), they broke up in the last year or so and he’s indicated in interviews that it wasn’t his choice.

She’s suggested in past interviews that she wants children (which JN has also said he does). Definitely none of my business - but honestly if you were a 35 year old woman who wants kids and you were engaged to JAMES NORTON, would you break up with him?

I know AIBU.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
matresense · 27/05/2025 21:46

Maybe it was the romcom with Brett Goldstein - that would do it for me tbh!

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 21:45

YesTonightJosephine · 27/05/2025 21:45

Here you go MN!

James Norton hints that Imogen Poots split 'wasn't his choice' as he reveals stage show led to panic attacks | The Standard

And now he is no longer with his new girlfriend!

James Norton 'splits from model girlfriend and joins celebrity dating app Raya' - The Mirror

So go for it MNs!

Right, I am off to watch GRANTCHESTER!

Edited

Youve done the Lords work darling

StasisMom · 27/05/2025 21:45

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 19:59

I feel like he's boring

He was his sexiest as the wrong'un in happy valley

I remember thinking what a bad, sexy man

Irl he crosses his legs and speaks well, and probably cycles in Islington and raves about his sourdough starter

Edited

Totally agree! He’s a bit too “nice” IRL. Jamie Dornan however …. #swoon

YourAmplePlumPoster · 27/05/2025 21:42

I'll ask Imogens Mum, Fiona. I know her.

Bitchesbelike · 27/05/2025 21:42

i thought he was gay. I was so sure I had read that somewhere. Not that it matters

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/05/2025 21:41

Well it's obvious -
My DD is his biggest fan, I bought her a James Norton coaster but she refused to put a hot cup on his wee face

I;m his ideal MIL as he is Type 1 Diabetic and I;m a Podiatrist ( so I;ll look after him )
Grin

Back off y'all , the Deal is Done

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 21:39

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 21:33

Now Yer talking.

Plus it looks quite thick so would block out the smell of lavender talc 🤢.

Show quote history

😄😫

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 21:39

User450877 · 27/05/2025 21:36

Just joing for the pointless speculation - he is gorgeous but yes, I suspect in real life he has flaws. Like when I discovered the hot chef in Emily In Paris witters on in every interview about how his character should become a vegan French chef…

Nooo 😄😄😄

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 21:38

Noluthando · 27/05/2025 21:09

James , please can you come on here and tell us why you and Imogen split up ? Thanks

Stuff that, if your here James please can you give me us your phone number?

User450877 · 27/05/2025 21:36

Just joing for the pointless speculation - he is gorgeous but yes, I suspect in real life he has flaws. Like when I discovered the hot chef in Emily In Paris witters on in every interview about how his character should become a vegan French chef…

IchBinPapst · 27/05/2025 21:33

I find him sinister, and not because of the parts he’s played either.

You just never know what goes on in other people’s relationships. Maybe he’s boring, has a temper or just doesn’t smell right.

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 21:33

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 21:31

😄 ah, I do like it

I'm off the carbs but id let him tempt me

Plus, after his bath girl, I'm sure he'd put on his cardigan!

Show quote history

Now Yer talking.

Plus it looks quite thick so would block out the smell of lavender talc 🤢.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 21:31

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 21:28

Go on then, but only because I don't like sourdough bread!

Show quote history

😄 ah, I do like it

I'm off the carbs but id let him tempt me

Plus, after his bath girl, I'm sure he'd put on his cardigan!

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 21:30

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 21:27

He smelt amazing. He then got on his bike and cycled away.

That'd be the talcum powder!

😭😭😭

Got on his bike and cycled away is so funny

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 21:28

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 21:20

The best i can do is a 50/50 split

You can have him after his bath 😄

Show quote history

Go on then, but only because I don't like sourdough bread!

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 21:27

He smelt amazing. He then got on his bike and cycled away.

That'd be the talcum powder!

Tomatotater · 27/05/2025 21:24

Summersunshinebliss · 27/05/2025 21:15

I had never heard of these people before this thread. She's really beautiful and looks a lot younger than her age. I definitely wouldn't kick him out of bed we wouldn'tmakeittothebedroom

Staying for the gossip, I am now invested in Grin

I thought she must be in her 40s, so I was surprised she was only 35. Not because of her looks ( she definitely has a very young looking face from the photos here) but because shes been a jobbing actress for so long it just felt like I'd heard her name for such a long time even though I wouldn't have been able to recognise her face.

Anjo2011 · 27/05/2025 21:24

I think he’s lovely, although I do not know him personally! Saw him in A Little Life and he came out afterwards and was very charming and had photos with the waiting crowd. He smelt amazing. He then got on his bike and cycled away. In answer to the question, no idea why she would split up with him.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 21:21

She's stunning though

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 27/05/2025 21:20

I’ve just had to Google him (and I’m glad I did 😉) but am aware of her and her beauty. No I wouldn’t break up with him but he might be really annoying. I’m also intrigued now.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 27/05/2025 21:20

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 27/05/2025 20:58

Oi! Join the queue!

Show quote history

The best i can do is a 50/50 split

You can have him after his bath 😄

MillieMoggie · 27/05/2025 21:19

ThatNimblePeer · 27/05/2025 21:09

The Daily Mail (I know) tried to spin this line that they were conflicted over having kids, but she had definitely said in a previous interview that she wanted them.

Thanks to the poster who mentioned Reddit. I sort of had assumed that the most likely reason had to be that she had met someone else.

It’s interesting some posters are saying she’s more famous and successful than him. I’d say he’s a household name in the UK and she isn’t, but maybe she’s done some US stuff I just haven’t seen. She does apparently have a new film with Kristen Stewart that’s just coming out and seems to be getting good reviews. To me she seems like someone who was working but hadn’t quite got her big break yet, so maybe she didn’t want to settle down/have kids until she felt that had happened.

Show quote history

Found it - it's from an interview with Hello in 2023 so not that long ago. And she clearly seems not that into settling down and having kids at the expense of her career.

Imogen suggested she has no plans to stop exploring and settle down, although that may have changed over the last three years, during which time the couple have become engaged.

"I find work to be my happy place, in a way. Because it’s all I’ve ever known: packing up a bag and moving on. That restlessness that’s inherent in you is very addictive. And I suppose now I’m supposed to slow down and set up a farm or something. But I’m not ready to do that. I want to keep exploring the world,"

Imogen Poots - Hello Interview

James Norton's famous fiancée's very rare comment on private relationship

The Happy Valley star and the 28 Weeks Later actress live in Peckham

https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/508571/james-norton-famous-fiancee-imogen-poots-very-rare-comment-private-relationship/

Original poster
ThatNimblePeer · 27/05/2025 21:17

Yeah I feel like he tries to downplay the posh a bit but the interview where he mentioned his school tuck box was a bit of a giveaway.

OP posts:
WalterMittysPuppet · 27/05/2025 21:17

I've only seen a couple of interviews and whilst he is a leg-crossing tortured genius type (agonising about his sourdough starter) and bit earnest, he comes across as pleasant and genuinely happy in his career.

But maybe he shits with the bathroom door open whilst loudly complaining about his bowels? Maybe his armpits smell of ripe haddock and his feet smell of death? I dumped a nice polite young man for all of those things, James Norton maybe equally gross despite his face being sculpted by Michelangelo himself.