Lucy Mecklenburgh "feels weird" being in a relationship with Coronation Street’s Jason Grimshaw.
The former ‘The Only Way is Essex’ star is a big fan of the ITV soap so she finds it odd dating Ryan Thomas – who played Jason on the show from 2000 to 2016 – and joked it is ironic that despite playing a builder, Ryan is "rubbish" at DIY in real life.
She said: "I always used to watch him on there and I definitely fancied him.
"I still love ‘Corrie’, so it does feel weird that I’m now in a relationship with Jason Grimshaw.
"It’s just a shame that, unlike his character, Ryan is rubbish at DIY."
Lucy and Ryan are planning to buy a house together in the new year, and she is hoping he will invite his former ‘Corrie’ cast mates along to their house-warming.
She said: "I grew up watching ‘Corrie’ so I want Ryan to invite them all to our house-warming party."
Ryan still stays in touch with his former on-screen mum Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Ben Price (Nick Tilsley) and Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald), and admits that while he misses his co-stars, he "doesn’t miss the show".
Speaking in a joint interview with OK! magazine, he added: "I don’t miss the show, but I do miss the people.
"I spent 16 years working there and I loved every minute, but I’m glad to be doing something else now.
"I’m enjoying having more flexibility in my life to try new things and work with new people."