HE’s the man whose been putting a smile on Katie Price’s face in her online videos – but it’s not her new husband Lee Andrews.
Last month, the former glamour model was hit with a six-month driving ban – her seventh one to date – and has had to find other means of getting around.
Thankfully, Katie hasn’t had to look too far from home for help, with cameraman Ben Algar taking on unofficial chauffeur duties of late.
As a result, ‘Big Ben’ – as he’s nicknamed – has found himself on the other side of the lens, making an increased appearance in her unfiltered day-in-the-life videos on her socials – and it’s not escaped fan attention.
“Car pool with Benjamin,” read the caption of one recent karaoke themed video that sees the two crack up as they give a very different rendition of Guns n Roses’ Sweet Child of Mine.
“You like a bit of 80s don’t you,” Ben says clearly knowing Katie intimately.
“Yeah but what song did you sing at mine during karaoke the other night?” Katie replies, hinting at a late-night jam together.
“New man??” asked one curious fan in the comments, with another concerned follower penning: “have you split with Lee?”
While a third pondered: “I wonder if Lee is jealous of Benjamin and his wife getting all cosy and having banter lol.”
But contrary to speculation, Ben has been a firm fixture in Katie’s life for decades, with their friendship striking up after filming a number of her reality TV shows over the years.
Sources credit Ben as a ‘stable influence’ and the ‘second man’ in the ex-glamour model’s life, in what has been another whirlwind few months for the star, following her driving suspension and surprise Dubai wedding to Lee Andrews in late January.
“The second man in Katie’s life is Ben, who has been by her side for years,” a source tells The Sun. “But he’s really stepped up recently amid her latest drama.
“He is probably the only stable man she’s ever had in her life outside of her family.
“They’re incredibly close friends and Ben has always quietly guided Katie, not only in her career but in her private life
“The whole family love him- he’s a really great friend to Katie and the entire Price gang. They all think he’s a legend.”
The Sun has reached out to representatives for Katie Price.
Ben is such a trusted ally, in fact that he even has a sweet relationship with her children – most notably Harvey, who has been back home with Katie over Easter.
Katie’s eldest even has a cute nickname for Ben, who is a dad-of-five himself, and calls him ‘Bouncy Ben’.
It’s a stark difference to new husband Lee Andrews who is yet to meet his new wife’s brood.
A video shared in late December saw another Ben appearance, with the caption reading: “Our secret camera man showing himself.”
The reality TV star revealed in it how he’s known as ‘Bouncy Ben’ to Harvey and shared the anecdote behind it.
“Harvey calls him Bouncy Ben because when Harvey was smaller, Ben used to lift him up and bounce him like that,” she said on camera, doing an impression of a toddler being thrown into the air.
“But we tried to explain to Harvey that Bouncy Ben can’t do that anymore.
“One, because you’re bigger than Ben now and you weigh a ton and a half,” she added, before Ben cut in: “And two, I’m not that strong.”
Ben’s closeness to Katie and her clan must be something of a blow to Lee, whose distance is claimed to be due to a travel technicality.
There is ongoing speculation that the 43-year-old is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates city after allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend Dina Taji’s signature to secure a £200,000 loan – something he’s strongly denied.
But air miles aside, Katie revealed in an interview on Good Morning Britain that she “wants to get to know him more” before they meet in real life, even if the kids have spoken to Lee over FaceTime.
Lee’s travel ban isn’t the only scandal that’s come out about him, with Katie’s fourth husband having used AI to fake photos with Kim Kardashian and Elon Musk to drum up interest in his business, Aura Group.
The ‘Walter Mitty’ businessman has also been accused of scamming women by his ex-girlfriend Alana Percival, who he popped the question to in a nigh-on identical proposal to Katie’s.
Lee has strongly denied all claims, but the allegations haven’t eased her family’s concerns.
Buddy Ben’s frequent presence therefore couldn’t come at a better time for worried loved ones, who we’re told is quietly monitoring the marriage.
“Ben has definitely been concerned about some of Katie’s relationships and her marriage to Lee is no different,” our source tells us.
“Like Katie’s family who have some very valid worries about Lee, Ben is the same and has been quietly keeping an eye on it.”
The cameraman and confidante has a good relationship with Katie’s sister Sophie, working with the sibling duo on podcast The Katie Price Show.
Just this week, Sophie and Ben playfully teased Katie over a former boyfriend.
“He works with Katie all the time so is aware of what is going on in her life, it means he can keep watch over her,” the source adds.
“Katie is a grafter so work, along with her kids, will always be a priority. It means she’s always in contact with Ben.
“Her family know he looks out for her and are grateful for his input.”