romance

Helen Flanagan says ‘there are three exes I would be dreading to see’ as she is set to return to television screens soon as part of the Celebrity Ex On The Beach lineup

Helen Flanagan has opened up about her fears after joining Celebrity Ex On The Beach, revealing she would love to avoid seeing ‘three’ of her exes as she prepares to star on a reality series.

Celebrity Ex On The Beach is set to return to television screens soon, with the full line-up now revealed, featuring the former Coronation Street favourite. Helen, 35, who is renowned for her portrayal of Rosie Webster on the ITV soap opera, has joined the cast of the Paramount+ reality series, alongside TOWIE’s Dani Imbert, one-half of pop duo Jedward, and Love Island’s Toby Aromolaran.

In a new sneak peek ahead of the show, Helen reveals why she signed up and what she is looking for in a man. She said: “My perfect partner would be fit, kind and funny.” She continued: “I think I’m single because I feel like I’m on my own kind of journey, I’m pretty free spirited [and] I’ve got quite a strong character.”

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Helen said she was “hoping to find a connection on the beach”, before discussing her past relationships. She said: “I was in a 13-year relationship with the father of my children. And then I recently split up with a boyfriend that I was with for a year,” she said.

Helen then revealed: “There are… three exes I would be dreading to see”. Helen and Scott first began dating in 2009, getting engaged in 2018 when the footballer proposed during a trip to Disneyland Paris. They had a lengthy engagement, with Helen confirming in 2022 that they had set a date for their wedding, but split shortly afterwards.

Speaking about the difficult time she faced after the end of her relationship, Helen previously told The Mirror that she suffered a breakdown.

The I’m A Celebrity star was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

On the explosive dating show, filmed in Tenerife, Helen will come face-to-face with her former flames, including her ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair and boxer David Haye. The forthcoming series will also feature Married At First Sight UK’s Amy Kenyon, 28, and Love Is Blind participant Freddie Powell, 32.

Rounding out the line-up are Too Hot To Handle’s Izzy Fairthorne, 26, who is seeking her first-ever boyfriend, and fellow contestant Chase DeMoor, 29, who’s back for a second shot at finding love.

Meanwhile, former X Factor star John Grimes, who previously appeared on the ITV talent show alongside his twin brother, has described himself as a ‘total catch’ and says he’s looking for a ‘curvy, self-assured woman’ who can match his energy.

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LOVED-UP Pete Wicks and Olivia Attwood kiss in a packed hotel bar — just weeks after she split from her footballer husband.

The couple, snapped in London’s Soho on Friday, are said to have begun their fling earlier this month.

ITV star Olivia, 34, separated from Bradley Dack in January.

Olivia and Pete have seen their friendship “blossom into an unexpected romance”, pals said last night.

The pair had insisted they were just friends but their public kiss in front of cheering pals proved they are a couple.

Loose Women favourite Olivia, 34, screamed, punched the air and beamed in delight afterwards.

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An onlooker snapped their snog at rooftop bar Flute in London’s Soho, where they partied for 3½ hours on Friday night.

The venue is where Towie star Pete, 37, was spotted kissing Love Island’s Maura Higgins in 2024.

Last night a pal of Pete and Olivia confirmed: “They have been spending a lot of time together and an unexpected romance has blossomed from friendship.”

Olivia only announced her marriage split from footballer Bradley Dack, 32, in January.

She and Pete, who co-host Sunday Roast: The Podcast, are said to have begun their fling at the Brit Awards on February 28.

The friend added: “Their passionate romance only started in the last few weeks, since she has split from Bradley, there was no overlap.

“Olivia’s close friends know about this new development and are pleased Pete has put a smile back on her face.

“He has been a shoulder to cry on and there for Olivia during this really tough time.

“She has been in the depths of a really horrible break-up and Pete has helped her through it.

“They have got closer and Pete has held a torch for Olivia for a really long time.

“She is hurting and vulnerable, and he was in the right place at the right time.”

The friend added: “They get on really well and are taking it slow, there is no label at the moment.”

Since her marriage separation, speculation has mounted that Olivia has moved on with lothario Pete.

The pair have known each other for around nine years and both starred in Towie in 2019.

Last August they partied with friends on a yacht off Ibiza.

Three weeks ago — when they were still thought to be just friends — we told how they shared a 3am pizza in a Manchester hotel.

Proof of their relationship came on Friday in Flute at the five-star Broadwick Soho hotel.

The onlooker said: “Olivia and Pete looked like honeymooners as they kissed in front of revellers.”

The couple met with pals and sank glasses of wine and vodka drinks from 8.30pm until midnight.

Around 10pm, they stood at their table and openly snogged as their friends cheered.

Olivia broke off to scream in delight and punch the air in celebration.

An onlooker said: “It was a party and Pete and Olivia were the main attraction.

“If you didn’t know, you might have assumed it was an intimate wedding or engagement celebration.

“You would never have guessed Olivia had just endured a painful marriage split.

“She was beaming in delight and couldn’t have looked happier.

“And at one point she rose in front of her friends, took Pete by the hand, and they kissed passionately as a group of ten to twelve people cheered them on.

“Olivia and Pete didn’t seem to mind who saw them.

“The noise and spectacle they were making caused everyone in the room to stop what they were doing and look.”

Olivia looked stunning in a black top and skinny jeans, with Pete in a smart jacket.

She stopped and chatted to other revellers in the dimly-lit, discreet venue, even asking other drinkers if they felt she looked OK.

A source said: “She was very sweet and so obviously madly in love with Pete.

“She was anxious that she looked good for her man. They had a blissful night.

“Friends came and went from their table and when they were alone they were very intense, whispering and pausing conversation to kiss.

“And they were just as tactile when in a bigger group.

“Whatever hardships she has been through, it was very clear that Olivia was ecstatically happy with him next to her at their table.”

Our snaps of the loved-up pair are a hammer blow to her estranged hubby Bradley, who plays for League Two Gillingham.

We told how he blocked Pete on Instagram weeks after the marriage split was revealed.

At last month’s Brits in Manchester, Olivia and Pete were seen chatting and whispering despite being seated apart.

She was on the ITV table while he was with Kiss FM.

That night Olivia told The Sun on Sunday: “If you are going to be single anywhere this’d be the place. Is Harry Styles single?”

She and Pete later left an after-party together and took a taxi to the Edwardian Manchester hotel.

At 3am Pete was seen carrying two pizza boxes through the lobby before getting into a lift.

Hours later the couple emerged together, with both wearing baseball caps, and were driven off at around 12.30pm.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony Pete told their podcast: “What always happens at these events is Liv and I gravitate towards each other and basically just stick together, don’t we?”

Olivia replied: “Because I feel like we both have the same objective. And talk to as few people . . .” Pete then added: “As possible.”

Pete then said: “Although we are not going big this year, are we?”, to which Olivia countered: “What do you mean?” Pete continued: “You have a flight the next day.”

Olivia replied: “I know, you need to keep me lucid enough that I don’t get stopped at immigration.”

Pete said: “The danger being that I jump on the flight with you in what I am wearing from the Brits.”

The Sun on Sunday revealed in January that Olivia had split from Dack – following what sources said was a “breach of trust” on his part.

In 2017, she went on Love Island, later saying it was revenge on Dack for cheating on her at the time.

They reunited, and she joined Towie in 2019, on which Pete was already a regular. He went on to dance on Strictly in 2024.

Our revelation of Olivia and Pete’s romance will fan the flames between her and arch rival Maura.

In August 2024, at the same Broadwick Soho Hotel terrace, Pete and Maura had confirmed their romance — after rumours swirled at that year’s TV Baftas.

Days after splitting from Pete last year, Maura took a pop at him on Valentine’s Day.

Asked where he was as she left a restaurant, she quipped: “Dunno, probably cheating.”

Pete has bedded a host of TV personalities including Jess Wright, Megan McKenna and Megan Barton-Hanson.

His and Olivia’s people were contacted for comment. 

LEWIS Hamilton proved he’s girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s biggest fan with a very public display of affection for the US star. 

Kim, 45, took to Instagram to share a snap of her stunning look from the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty – and Lewis, 41, was quick to share his thoughts. 

In the photo, Skims founder Kim showed off her famous curves in a skintight gold dress, captioning the post: “GUCCI GIRL.”

As always her comments were filled with comments from her 353 million followers and a sweet post from Formula 1 driver Lewis. 

Keeping it to the point, he simply added a lovestruck emoji but the gesture proves he’s head over heels for Kim. 

Kim’s romance with Lewis became public knowledge after The Sun revealed she flew in from Los Angeles on her £100million private jet to spend an evening with him.

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On January 31, the couple enjoyed a brief stay at the exclusive Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds, with insiders saying they had the spa to themselves, before enjoying a meal in a private room.

A source told The Sun: “It all appeared to be very romantic. Kim and Lewis made use of all the facilities on offer.

“She had two bodyguards with her and Lewis had a close protection officer but they remained in the background.

“Two of the three stood guard outside the door to their room, so no one could disturb them.”

Lewis was friends with her ­rapper ex Kanye West.

A source added: “They had a couple’s massage booked in and had full use of the facilities for just the two of them.

“It was all kept very quiet – they clearly wanted to have some time for just the two of them.”

Forget Paris and Venice for an intimate getaway, as there’s another city that has been ranked as the most romantic in Europe, with rooftop bars to catch the sunset and a serene boating lake

Europe’s most romantic city has been named, but it’s not where you might think.

Paris, France, has long been hailed as the ‘city of love’, with proposals in the masses, while Venice, Italy, offers sunset gondola rides along the canals. Yet, according to one new ranking, they’ve both been overshadowed as the most romantic cities in Europe.

Instead, the sun-soaked capital of Spain, Madrid, has taken the crown with its historic charm and intimate settings. There are cosy restaurants, rooftop bars, luxury hotels, along with majestic landmarks, vibrant street art, and passionate flamenco performances, all making for a truly spectacular getaway.

Some of the most notable places to visit include hiring a rowing boat on the serene, picturesque lake at El Retiro Park, or taking a leisurely stroll around the enchanting El Capricho Park or the beautiful Sabatini Gardens at the Royal Palace. The city offers some of the best spots to catch the sunset, including the restaurant Azotea del Círculo, which offers panoramic views from its rooftop terrace, and the gardens in Cerro del Tío Pío, perfect for a sunset stroll.

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However, one popular area that has been hailed as the ‘best sunset spot in Madrid’ is the ancient Egyptian temple, Templo de Debod. Catching the sunset last year, one traveller shared on TripAdvisor: “The magic hour to visit is sunset!.. The temple’s ancient stones turn a rich orange, and the reflective pools surrounding it create a mirror effect that is a photographer’s dream.”

For a break away from exploring the city, there’s the Arab baths at Hammam Al Ándalus for a relaxing soak and a step back in time among its historic buildings, or lively flamenco shows at Corral de la Morería. Couples can enjoy a glass of wine and tapas at the Mercado de San Miguel, a fresh food market, or ride the cable car, the Teleférico de Madrid, which crosses the river.

But a stroll around the city is enough to leave you enchanted, with vibrant graffiti decorating its quaint streets lined with tapas bars and coffee shops, and magnificent architecture. From the iconic Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, and Puerta del Sol square, to the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, it’s easy to spend hours exploring this bustling yet charming city.

Madrid was named the most romantic European city following research by Icelandair. The airline analysed data from various European cities, comparing their location, nightlife, single population, inclusivity and happiness, along with Tripadvisor romance ratings and sunset visibility, with Madrid topping the list.

The list proves even more valuable, as Icelandair found that 1 in 10 Brits, in a study of 3,000 people, said travel is the best way to meet a partner. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 Brits said they’ve fallen in love while flying, and further research found that most holiday romances occur while volunteering abroad, during a work trip, or while solo travelling.

Most romantic European cities

1. Madrid, Spain
2. Prague, Czech Republic
3. Lisbon, Portugal
4. Barcelona, Spain
5. Zurich, Switzerland
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
7. Helsinki, Finland
8. Vienna, Austria
9. Copenhagen, Denmark
10. Rome, Italy
11. Athens, Greece
12. Geneva, Switzerland
13. Oslo, Norway
14. Berlin, Germany
15. Reykjavik, Iceland

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

EMMA Watson has been spotted passionately kissing her billionaire boyfriend, entrepreneur Gonzalo Hevia Baillares.

The Harry Potter star confirmed their secret romance on a trip to Mexico.

Emma, 35, didn’t appear to care who saw her embrace the businessman as they walked through Mexico City airport.

The couple were flanked by guards as they snogged in the security queue, according to pictures seen by the Daily Mail.

A source told the paper: “Widely regarded as one of Mexico’s most eligible bachelors, Gonzalo now appears to be deeply smitten and reportedly taking his relationship with Emma seriously – having already introduced her to his parents.

​”Without a doubt, Gonzalo and Emma are shaping up to be one of 2026’s most unexpected power couples.”

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Emma was believed to have last been dating Kieran Brown while she studied creative writing.

The actress appears to have moved on with Gonzalo – cementing their relationship with a romantic getaway to the exclusive beach resort of Punta Mita.

Gonzalo is the grandson of Mexican billionaire Alberto Baillères, who died in 2022.

His family are the third wealthiest family in the country and are said to have a net worth of £14.2billion, having made their money from a multi-billion-dollar mining company.

Gonzalo is currently working as a CEO of investment firm HBeyond in New York.

​He was previously romantically linked with Spanish singer Belinda Peregrín before they broke up in 2024.