Katie Price shares secret details about JJ romance from DMs to watching MAFS
Katie Price has opened up about her romance with JJ Slater, including having shared her first thoughts on him and revealing how they connected with each other.
The former glamour model, 45, and JJ, 31 - best known for appearing on Married at First Sight UK (MAFS) last year - made their red carpet debut earlier this month. The pair have been romantically linked since January and then just a couple of weeks ago they went "Instagram official".
She's now given an insight into the romance. Katie spoke about JJ whilst on the podcast It's Not You, It's Them...But It Might Be You with LalalaLetMeExplain, which is hosted by the anonymous relationship commentator Lala.
Katie revealed on the podcast that she had watched JJ on E4's MAFS last year and shared how they connected. The Celebrity Big Brother winner also said that her partner had messaged her years earlier but she hadn't noticed it.
Asked about dating JJ, she said: "Do you know what's weird about that - I actually watched [MAFS], I don't know if you did, and I remember watching it going 'God if he likes them type of women he'd like me' and I fancied him in that."
Katie Price and Danielle Lloyd 'bury the hatchet' after documentary feudKatie added that she reached out after discovering that JJ had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She told the podcast host that she has an interest in medical issues, due to her own health and being a parent to her son Harvey Price, 21, who has a number of medical conditions.
She continued whilst on the latest episode of the podcast: "And it's only till I read that [JJ] had diabetes that I got in contact. And I didn't realise that he had messaged me two years ago and I never saw it. So that was so random."
Katie added: "That's how that started. So we've been talking for a while. Obviously I was single when I started talking to him. To be honest, I didn't want a relationship, but cause I watched the show and anyone who's got something like medical, I think because of Harvey, I'm interested in all of that. When they say 'life changing' and all of that, obviously I've had life changing injuries with my feet.
"It was literally just like 'well I hope you're alright with it'. It was just like innocent. It wasn't a try on. And I wasn't looking for a relationship. And then I think when I started it like that ... and I don't think he was either, looking for a relationship ... you just end up liking each other. And it evolves, evolves."
Katie suggested that they weren't focused on dating initially, adding: "Then we got to know each other before anyone thinks they could tarnish it." She said: "Slow and grow in its own pace. And I think being open and explaining what I've been through in the past, why I didn't want a relationship, he understands it. But d'you know, so far, so good."
The romance between them has attracted attention in recent months. It was reported last month that Katie and JJ were growing close. It was claimed at the time that she was "really into him," with them said to have met and been texting "constantly".
They were later seen cuddled up in a photo that was published just weeks ago, after reportedly being spotted in Newcastle together. A source told the Mirror: "They sat together for at least an hour. They looked very cosy together, especially when she rested her arm on his shoulder."
Katie went on to confirm the romance shortly afterwards in a post on Instagram, which included a selfie of her and JJ. She wrote: "They say things happen for a reason, the unexpected happened. Fate. Ticks every box. [JJ] you have proved to me you are a real gentleman and completely except me for me." He replied: "Fate... thank you so much for being you."