Gypsy-Rose Blanchard’s breakup with boyfriend Ken Urker came as the result of “outside opinion and influence". Urker says that the couple’s temporary split, which blindsided Gypsy-Rose, was influenced by a Dr Phil podcast.

Gypsy-Rose first met Ken while she was still in prison for the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. In October 2018, he proposed but the pair ended their engagement before reuniting one year later.

Sharing the trial and tribulations of their relationship ahead of the season two release of Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up, Ken explained what he was thinking when the couple broke up. After their initial breakup and reunion, Urker and Gypsy-Rose later split for multiple years, during which Gypsy-Rose married and broke up with Ryan Anderson.

Speaking to People, Ken explained their decision to break up was influenced by other people - including TV host Dr. Phil.

He said: “Well, I think one of the biggest things was outside opinion and influence.

“I had listened to a podcast from Dr. Phil, and I had a lot of people in my ear just telling me that the best thing I can do for her is to give her some time to build a self-identity that she's never been able to build before, and even while she's in prison.”

Urker added that, at the time, he believed those voices - “especially Dr. Phil’s” - and felt it was the right thing to do to listen to them.