Jennifer Metcalfe is reportedly dating former Manchester United star Chris Eagles four months after confirming her split from ex Greg Lake.
According to reports, the Hollyoaks actress, 37, is ‘smitten’ with footballer Chris, 35, who is also said to be single following his split from fiancée and girlfriend of eight years Danielle Mitchinson, 30.
Mother-of-one Jennifer announced in August that she had secretly split from former Geordie Shore star Greg following an eight year romance.
Love life: Jennifer Metcalfe is reportedly dating former Manchester United star Chris Eagles four months after confirming her split from ex Greg Lake
Chris is said to be in Jennifer’s support bubble amid the coronavirus pandemic with the sports star reportedly spotted vising her Manchester home. It is claimed they have been dating since ‘around a month ago.’
A source told The Sun: ‘They’re really smitten with each other. They’ve known each other for a while but only very recently started dating.
‘The relationship is in its very early stages and things are going well. Who knows where things could go?’
According to the publication, Jennifer has reportedly known Chris since she became friends with his ex Danielle earlier this year.
‘Smitten’: According to reports, the Hollyoaks actress, 37, is ‘smitten’ with footballer Chris, 35, who is also said to be single following his split from fiancée and girlfriend of eight years Danielle Mitchinson, 30 (pictured in 2019)
The source added: ‘She was mates with Jen, but it has put a strain on their friendship. Danielle was with Chris for so long but just wants things to move forward. They still share custody of their kids.’
Chris and Danielle are said to have split in October after lockdown ‘highlighted that the relationship wasn’t working’. They share two children.
The footballer has reportedly paid for a rented three-bedroom apartment near his Cheshire home with a £500 allowance a month.
Sad news: Mother-of-one Jennifer announced in August that she had secretly split from former Geordie Shore star Greg following an eight year romance (she shared this picture in April)
Hollyoaks actress Jennifer took to Instagram in August to reveal that she and ex Geordie Shore star Greg had sadly split.
Seemingly another casualty of lockdown, Jennifer revealed the couple secretly broke up a couple of months ago – they are parents to son Daye, three.
She wrote: ‘Greg and I decided to part ways amicably a couple months ago.
‘We remain friends and we both will continue to happily co parent Daye and would appreciate privacy during these times.
‘Thank you to everyone who has supported us before, during and after this.’
‘Support bubble’: Chris is said to be in Jennifer’s support bubble amid the coronavirus pandemic with the sports star reportedly spotted vising her Manchester home. It is claimed they have been dating since ‘around a month ago’ (pictured in September)
Jennifer has been regularly sharing pictures of herself with Greg and Daye on her Instagram, with the last family picture appearing on July 12.
It seems that the couple had already split at this point, but they remain close.
On June 12, Jennifer shared a black and white image of Greg kissing Daye on the head, writing: ‘Happy Father’s Day @greglake_ we ❤️ u very much x.’
In 2018, Jennifer said she thought Greg had proposed to her following their long romance, but she wasn’t having any of it anyway.
Friends: According to the publication, Jennifer has reportedly known Chris since she became friends with his ex Danielle earlier this year
Amicable split: Jennifer shared this post to Instagram in August as she thanked those around her who have been supportive
Announcement: Greg shared an almost identical post to Jennifer on the same day
She told Loose Women at the time: ‘I thought Greg had proposed to me on my birthday. He got a ring out, I’d just got back from work.
‘I was too tired for it. I said “can we please do this another time, I’m tired”. It was just a ring ‘for us’ though, not an engagement one.’
But the year before, Jennifer told Fabulous magazine that marriage was very much in their plans.
She said: ‘We’ll probably do it like a party and be like: “Let’s get married next month and we’ll text our friends”. There will be no ring or anything.’
Parenthood: Jennifer previously said that sleepless nights with son Daye meant they had no plans to expand their brood
And while the pair love being parents to son Daye, Jennifer admitted that sleepless nights had put her off having more children.
She told the panel: ‘Sleepless nights have put me off more kids. I loved going back to work, loved going in for a few hours and being yourself for a day. I love picking him up afterwards too.’
In a candid chat with OK! Magazine to announce her son’s birth in 2017, Jennifer revealed she had ‘made up’ Daye’s quirky name around two years ago and had stored the name away until the couple made the decision to start a family.
His middle name Colmic is actually an amalgamation of the pair’s father’s names, Colin and Mick.
Before dating Greg, Jennifer was in a relationship with Dancing On Ice pro skater, Sylvain Longchambon. He is now married to Corrie star Samia.
Happier times: In 2017, Jennifer had said that marriage was very much on the cards for the couple (pictured at the NTAs in 2018)