EXCLUSIVE: Celebs Go Dating star Joshua Ritchie in ‘serious’ secret romance with co-star Olivia Bentley despite saying he still has feelings for ex Charlotte Crosby
Celebs Go Dating stars Joshua Ritchie and Olivia Bentley are in a secret romance – despite looking for love on the reality show.
MailOnline can reveal the Ex on the Beach heartthrob, 25, has been dating Made In Chelsea’s Olivia, 24, for a number of weeks with insiders close to the pair saying they’re already really serious about each other.
Joshua’s new relationship with Olivia comes after he admitted on Celebs Go Dating to ‘still having a lot of love’ for his ex-Charlotte Crosby, 29, who he split with in November.
Lovers: Celebs Go Dating stars Joshua Ritchie and Olivia Bentley are in a secret ‘serious’ romance – despite him saying he still has feelings for ex Charlotte Crosby
A source told MailOnline: ‘Josh and Olivia have been getting on like a house on fire.
‘They started seeing each other in secret at the beginning of February and their romance has really blossomed.
‘Until recently they had really tried to keep their feelings for each other private for the sake of the show.
‘But it was impossible for them not to be flirty and tactile in group situations with the rest of the cast, so it soon became common knowledge.’
Joshua spoke of his feelings for Geordie Shore star Charlotte on Tuesday’s episode of Celebs Go Dating.
‘I care for her’: Joshua’s new relationship with Olivia comes after he admitted on Tuesday’s episode of Celebs Go Dating that he still has feelings for his ex-Charlotte (pictured)
New couple: Olivia and Joshua looked close during filming of the E4 show in the Dominican Republic last month
During filming of the show in November, he said: ‘I care for her, I still do have a lot of love for her and I respect her.
‘The thing is, she wants to have a family, she wants children, which I understand. She wants to get married.’
Charlotte was furious after discovering Joshua had signed up for the dating show, claiming she turned down the chance to be on the series out of respect to her ex.
She raged: ‘So a bit of a revelation today, I am shocked, shocked to say the least but when you’re sitting in Dubai and you find out that your ex-boyfriend who you didn’t think was like this at all, is going on Celebs Go Dating…
‘I’m not going to f***ing lie right, at one point we were on the verge of getting back and I said “I’ve been asked to do Celebs Go Dating” but obviously I said “No I would never do that.”
‘I’ll tell you what, don’t f***ing mention my name once while you’re on that show! Don’t f***ing even speak about me you f***ing little toe rag!’
On the hunt: Made in Chelsea star Olivia (pictured) told the Celebs Go Dating agents she was looking for a ‘rough and ready’ suitor following her split from Digby Edgley last November
Ups and downs: The former couple suffered a rocky relationship after breaking up and getting back together on more than one occasion (pictured with Digby)
Joshua and Olivia aren’t the first celebrities to fall for each other while looking for love with someone who isn’t famous on the E4 dating show.
Former cast members Megan Barton-Hanson and Demi Sims started dating after meeting during filming, as well as Stephanie Pratt and Joey Essex.
On Tuesday night, stars of the show including Olivia and Josh enjoyed a meal out in London to celebrate another successful series.
While at the dinner Olivia posted an Instagram story of her pictured with Josh, with him re-sharing the image alongside the caption: ‘Why thank you @OliviaBentleyk much love.’
A spokeswoman for Celebs Go Dating declined to comment.
Chic: On Tuesday night stars of the show enjoyed a night out together at Scarlett Green restaurant in London in celebration of a successful series