For anyone who was wondering what the real reason is for Ellen Pompeo being afraid of marriage, her friend has revealed it, according to a published report.

According to friends, the ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ star, 36, is afraid to marry her long-time lover Christopher Ivery, 38, because she can’t get over the felony conviction that landed him in jail for over a year.

A friend tells the Enquirer, “Ellen loves Christopher to death but she can’t help feeling that there may be someone else out there better suited for her.”

But Ivery’s criminal track-record didn’t always bother Ellen. It started bothering her after she started acting in top-rated TV show ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘, because now she has a future to consider.

“She’s had a few of her co-stars try to set her up on dates with some well-known bachelors. Ellen declined the offers for now, but she’s having second thoughts.”

“Marrying a guy with a criminal past is just not something she envisioned for herself.”

In Christopher pleaded guilty to theft and credit card fraud back in 1994, and was in prison for 14 months.

The friend explains, “If she hasn’t married Chris by now, it may never happen.”

“She owes it to herself to find Mr. Right and not settle for a man she’s having second thoughts about.”