When Debbi met Steve in 2011 through a mutual friend on Facebook, sparks flew instantly. After weeks of chatting online, she traveled from Scotland to London for their first date—an evening that ended with a kiss under London Bridge and the beginning of a whirlwind romance.
But beneath the love story lies a relationship shaped by an intense and often overwhelming force: jealousy.
Debbi, who has been open about her struggles with mental health, was diagnosed with Othello Syndrome—a psychological condition marked by delusional beliefs of a partner’s infidelity without proof. For her, this translated into a drastic and controversial decision: asking her partner to take lie detector tests every time he returned home.
Their relationship quickly became serious. Debbi and Steve moved in together and started planning a future. Though she admits they don’t always agree, Debbi was certain Steve was “the one.” As she once said, “When you’ve got a good man, you’re not going to let him go.”
However, past trauma played a significant role in the evolution of her jealousy. After experiencing betrayal in a previous abusive relationship, Debbi’s suspicion grew more intense. The result? A regimen of routine lie detector tests—sometimes triggered by a simple trip to the store.
Steve, ever patient, has stood by Debbi through it all. While the lie detector app on her phone is used less frequently these days, she still keeps a close eye on his activities. Watching sports or even commercials featuring women can set off her anxiety, sometimes leading her to block certain shows altogether.
“I get nervous sometimes during the tests,” Steve shared during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning. “Even when I’m telling the truth, my heart races, and the app might say I’m lying. But I just have to reassure her.”
Debbi has gone as far as installing child-proof filters on Steve’s devices to limit what he can view online. Her need for reassurance even prompted her to test Steve after a routine outing, asking whether he noticed any women in the store. One test even flagged him as dishonest when asked if he found pop star Mel B attractive—a result Debbi had him retake multiple times.
In a 2019 video by Only Human, Debbi’s jealousy was fully visible as she used her phone’s polygraph feature to gauge Steve’s honesty. It was a rare occasion, as Debbi hadn’t left the house in eight months prior to the outing.
In addition to Othello Syndrome, Debbi has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and body dysmorphic disorder—complications that add to her emotional struggle. She believes societal pressure on women to look a certain way contributes to the mental toll that fuels her insecurities.
Her story gained public attention in 2015 with a Channel 5 documentary, 87 Stone: Fat Chance of Work, which she claims misrepresented her by focusing more on her weight than her mental health conditions. The backlash online was severe, leading to harassment that made Debbi even more reluctant to go outside.
Despite the hardships, Debbi and Steve have found comfort in a shared hobby: gaming. Playing Xbox has become a welcome distraction and an outlet for Debbi to shift her focus away from fears of betrayal.
“Gaming really helped calm my mind,” she explained. “It gives me something else to think about other than whether Steve’s looking at another woman.”
According to research, around 15% of those with Othello Syndrome have exhibited violent behavior toward their partners. Debbi admits that her jealousy has led to moments of emotional breakdowns and frustration—but through it all, Steve hasn’t left her side.
“I know I’ve put Steve through a lot,” she confessed. “But he’s stayed, and that means everything.”
Steve echoed that sentiment: “She’s worth it. She’s special. We’ve been through a lot, but I know she’s my soulmate.”
Now, Debbi is hoping to improve her self-esteem and health with gastric band surgery, which she has applied for through the NHS. She believes that getting the procedure will give her the confidence boost she needs to lead a fuller, happier life.
“I want to feel better in my own skin,” she said. “And I want to enjoy life more with Steve—without all this fear getting in the way.”
