Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid: A Timeline of Their Relationship

Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid enjoyed more than a 10-year relationship filled with high highs and documented lows before they eventually called it quits in June 2026.

After first being introduced by mutual friend Ed Sheeran, the former Friends star and Snow Patrol musician began dating in September 2013, entering a whirlwind romance that saw them getting engaged less than a year later in June 2014.

Despite a blip in their relationship — the two called off their engagement in November 2014 but were back together by March 2015 — the stars have seemed incredibly happy together, frequently gushing about each other in interviews and on social media.

“I know that I’ve never loved like I love this woman,” McDaid told Us Weekly in May 2016.

For her part, Cox frequently shares cozy Instagram posts with the Irish guitarist. “He’s the kindest, most patient, best listener, curious, caring, not to mention talented and gorgeous partner,” she captioned an Instagram birthday tribute to her beau in July 2021. “I love you jmd.”

Years later, in June 2026, multiple media outlets reported that the pair had called it quits after more than a decade together.

Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid enjoyed more than a 10-year relationship filled with high highs and documented lows before they eventually called it quits in June 2026. After first being introduced by mutual friend Ed Sheeran, the former Friends star and Snow Patrol musician began dating in September 2013, entering a whirlwind romance that saw them getting engaged less than a year later in June 2014. Despite a blip in their relationship — the two called off their engagement in November 2014 but were back together by March 2015 — the stars have seemed incredibly happy together, frequently gushing about each other in interviews and on social media. “I know that I’ve never loved like I love this woman,” McDaid told Us Weekly in May 2016. For her part, Cox frequently shares cozy Instagram posts with the Irish guitarist. “He's the kindest, most patient, best listener, curious, caring, not to mention talented and gorgeous partner,” she captioned an Instagram birthday tribute to her beau in July 2021. “I love you jmd.” Years later, in June 2026, multiple media outlets reported that the pair had called it quits after more than a decade together. Scroll down to learn more about Cox and McDaid’s romance:

At some point in 2013, Cox and McDaid were introduced by mutual friend Sheeran.

The couple officially went on their first date on September 24, 2013, and the Friends alum has marked the occasion on Instagram ever since.

McDaid and Cox’s relationship was still hush-hush at this point, but her ex-husband, David Arquette, told Howard Stern at the time that she and boyfriend Brian Van Holt had broken up.

Rumors began swirling that the two were an item after they were spotted going to Jennifer Aniston’s holiday party together.

Cox and McDaid confirmed their relationship by hitting up multiple events together.

Sheeran spilled the beans on the pair’s living situation. "I'm not sure that it's public knowledge, so maybe I shouldn’t have said anything – but, yes, they're already living together," the “Perfect” singer told The Mirror at the time. “Things are moving fast. He moved in and, judging by the last time I saw them, they couldn’t be happier."

Cox and McDaid announced their engagement on social media on June 26, 2014 with a sweet selfie.

The TV star later revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that the Snow Patrol singer popped the question while at her 50th birthday party at Aniston’s house — and that he asked her daughter, Coco, for permission. “He said, 'I'd like to marry your mom,' and gave her a little diamond ring,” she recalled. “She said, 'Great, I'm going to camp tomorrow. Let's do it right now.’”

Cox accompanied her fiancé to the 2015 Grammy Awards, where he was nominated for Album of the Year for his work on X, Sheeran’s record.

The Shining Vale lead shared a photo of McDaid kissing her on the forehead — their last photo together before calling off their engagement two months later.

It’s over (for the time being). Cox and McDaid called off their engagement after reportedly having problems over Thanksgiving.

Several months later, the two reunited romantically and celebrated Easter together.

McDaid didn’t hold back his love for Cox when speaking to Us Weekly. “I know that I’ve never loved like I love this woman. So if that’s enough, then that’s enough,” he said.

The Scream lead told Us, “Well, we love each other … and yes, we are happy!”

Cox explained to Bear Grylls why exactly she and McDaid split, calling the breakup “so brutal.”

“There’s something about … you know, he’s from Ireland. And the way he regards love is precious. … I didn’t know how to regard love the way he does,” she explained, adding, “I didn’t know how to bring it in. It was always external. I definitely have learned a lot, and no matter what, I will be a better person from that breakup.”

The “Run” artist inked Cox’s initials on his wrist and showed off the results on Instagram.

Cox opened up about the possibility of having kids with McDaid.

“I would love to have a baby now,” she told NewBeauty at the time, elaborating, “I mean, I could carry someone else’s egg. I may be one of the older people doing it, but I would love to, with Johnny that is.”

The guitarist opened up to Us about bonding with Cox and Coco, noting that the two “often come over” to spend time with his family, particularly during Christmas. “We all have a big gathering,” he explained.

The former NBC star told Ellen DeGeneres that the couple’s relationship is “stronger” after they called off their engagement. That same month, the actress called McDaid “my guy, my one” on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

With the couple always rocking out together on Instagram, with Cox on the keys, McDaid couldn’t help but gush about his partner’s talent to Us, calling her “a really good piano player.”

Unfortunately for the pair, like so many others in the world, this would be the last time they would see each other for nine months — due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

Cox told musician Foy Vance on "The Vinyl Supper" podcast that it’s been hard for her to be separated from McDaid, noting at the time, “It’s been 150 days since I last saw him.”

The twosome happily reunited after spending months apart, Cox proudly shared on Instagram.

Once again, the two were forced to spend time apart in 2021 — but they reunited after two months and a quarantine period. Cox was clearly happy to be back in London with her beau.

In an Instagram video packed with star power, Cox, McDaid, Sheeran, Elton John and more all performed together.

The Cougar Town star once again revealed her true feelings about her longtime partner in an interview with People.

McDaid is “a great listener. And I've never met someone more patient," she told the outlet. "He's a great advice-giver. I love his heart, his intentions. His morals. He's extremely talented and obviously musical, but he's a poet and a writer. He's just so smart, and I find that really sexy. And then he is gorgeous."

Cox honored her love on Valentine’s Day 2022, sharing a selfie with him, writing, “I love my Valentine.”

“Date night in London ♥️,” the Mothers and Daughters actress captioned a series of Instagram snaps with her beau.

"Happy birthday to my multitalented Johnny! He may be getting older (kinda) but watching him play never does. I love you J," Cox wrote alongside a compilation of sweet Instagram snaps.

The couple playfully recreated the iconic Dirty Dancing lift via Instagram with the help of Ed Sheeran and photographer and director Jason Koenig. In the video, Cox convinces her longtime love to lift her up over his head like Patrick Swayze does with Jennifer Grey, but things go awry.

McDaid jumps toward his partner — instead of the other way around — before the footage cuts to show an ambulance driving away. “It’s ok we’re professionals,” Cox joked in the caption.

"I'm still in the process of working on my longest and most important projects. Thank you, John, for teaching me to be a better person," Cox gushed as she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "You're such an amazing and talented person and I'm so lucky to be with you."

“So three years in, we broke up, and it was really intense. We broke up in therapy,” Cox revealed during an interview on Minnie Driver’s “Minnie Questions” podcast. “I didn’t know it was coming.”

Cox explained that she and McDaid were in therapy at the time to work out “boundaries” in their relationship. “I was in so much pain, I also don’t like surprises. And he’s an incredible human being so he wasn’t trying to surprise me,” she added. “He was in that much pain in the relationship. There was that much that needed to be dealt with that he had to protect himself around his heart.”

Cox went on to note that she was “so thankful” for their split, stating that they had a “different relationship” upon getting back together. “But also because it really taught me how I operated in the world — what were the things from my childhood that I needed,” she shared. “Whether it was to be adored by men. Things that I didn't know how to let go to be in a relationship. To not take things personally. My boundaries, I just went into myself and I had a great therapist.”

The couple enjoyed a day out together at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. Cox rocked a black blazer, black dress shirt and gray trousers at the sports event, while McDaid opted for a black bomber jacket, black pants and a white T-shirt.

In June 2026, multiple media outlets reported that the actress and musician officially called it quits after more than a decade together. Neither publicly commented on the news, and Us reached out to reps for both for comment but did not hear back at the time of publication.