In a shocking turn of events, Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell have ended (Jan. 16) their relationship after four years together. The couple, who found love on The Bachelor season 25 in 2021, made the heartbreaking announcement today.

James, 33, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message, asking for strength as they navigate this painful decision. 

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A post shared by Matt James (@mattjames919)

"Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts," he wrote, alongside a photo from the show. "Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our Joy comes from you, Lord 💔"

Hours earlier, James had posted cheerful TikToks of their food adventures in London, including a video of the couple trying pizza at a trendy hotspot, which left fans scratching their heads.

@mattjames9191

pizza pit stop for anyone traveling through London🍕🇬🇧 . everything we ordered at crisp pizza w6👨🏾‍🍳: . 12” tie dye pie $15.50  12” vecna pie $15 (pepperoni, burrata, parm, hot honey) 12” crispy w6 pie $15 (San marzano tomatos, mozzarella & HELLA pecorino

♬ original sound - mattjames919

"This is confusing…what happened in the last 24 hrs," one user quipped, while another questioned, "How do you go from posting this to a breakup announcement. I'm shook." 

James often shares travel and food content with a delay, which means their London trip likely occurred before the split.

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A post shared by Zachary Reality (@zacharyreality)

Now, fans are left stunned by this unexpected breakup. Superfan Zachary Reality, known for his Bachelor updates, shared his shock in a video, admitting that he initially thought the news was a joke. He also revealed that the couple had been living apart for some time, with James in Miami and Kirkconnell at her parents' home in Georgia – which may have contributed to their decision.

Some fans are speculating that James' Instagram account may have been hacked after his emotional breakup post, despite the faith-centered caption aligning with his morals and values. The unusual tone of the message led many to question its authenticity, as it didn't quite sound like James' usual writing style. 

Adding fuel to the fire, the couple had been sharing sweet, loving posts about each other just recently, leading fans to wonder if something more is at play behind the sudden split. 

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A post shared by Rachael Kirkconnell (@rachaelkirkconnell)

As of now, Kirkconnell, 28, has yet to comment on the breakup. Her last social media post was a sweet birthday tribute to James on December 5, where she expressed her love and gratitude for him. She called him her "best friend" and "teammate."

The couple's journey has been anything but easy. After James gave Kirkconnell his final rose in 2021, their relationship hit a rocky patch when racially insensitive photos of Kirkconnell resurfaced online.

They briefly split but reconciled a month later. This news is sure to leave Bachelor Nation reeling as fans process the end of one of the franchise's most high-profile relationships. 

Fandom Daily will be following this breakup closely, stay up-to-date with us. 

Photo Credit: rachaelkirkconnell on Instagram.