There’s no denying Chris Hughes is loved-up. The 28-year-old former Love Islander’s new girlfriend, pro-golfer Annabel Dimmock, 24, recently went Instagram-public with their romance – and after Chris’ split from ex-Little Mix star Jesy Nelson, 30, last April, it’s a dreamy end to an unsettling 16 months.
Here, Chris tells heat why, after dabbling in dating, he’s finally smitten…
Congratulations – you and Annabel are now Insta-official! How did you meet?
On a practice green at the Centurian Club in St Albans. She was the pro I was playing with, and with every hole, I was liking her more and more. I came home that night, thinking, “I quite like this girl.”
What attracted you to her?
She feels like she’s a best friend. I’ve obviously met lovely girls, but I’ve never had that connection where you want to spend every second with somebody. I’ve been waiting for that. It came along and it’s nice to get those butterflies again.
What are you like as a boyfriend?
My heart’s quite old-fashioned. I like to look after a person. I love designer clothing, but I’m not materialistic and money doesn’t bother me – I could live in the smallest house in the world. My life’s all about personal relationships.
So, the idea of marriage and children doesn’t scare you?
No. In the future that’s something I want, but not something that I feel I need to rush into. That comes with time and when it feels right.
CHECK OUT reality stars who dated A-listers
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1 of 11Chris Hughes and Jesy Nelson
Jesy and Chris began dating in secret back in November 2018 and soon moved in with each other. They both appeared on each others' documentaries and we hoped this relationship could last forever but sadly they split in March 2020. They are apparently still 'good friends' though... We'll see how long that lasts.
2 of 11Paige Turley and Lewis Capaldi
Before Paige shot to fame on Love Island with her current boyfriend Finn Tapp, and Lewis was yet to have a number one single, the pair actually dated for a year in their late teens after meeting at college.
3 of 11Sinitta and Brad Pitt
During his years in Hollywood, Brad Pitt has dated his fair share of high profile women including Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie but what you may not know is that he actually had a two year relationship with TV personality and singer Sinitta. When they first got together, Brad was nothing more than a jobbing actor in LA whilst she toured the world performing. Eventually however, long-distance broke them up.
4 of 11Charlie King and Sam Smith
Imagine counting both Gemma Collins and Sam Smith among your exes? ICONIC. Well, that's what former TOWIE star Charlie King can say. Charlie and Sam apparently met on social media back in 2015 in enjoyed a few secret dates together before they decided to just be friends.
5 of 11Calum Best and Lindsday Lohan
Back in 2007 Lindsay and Calum had a tumultuous relationship that often hit the headlines. They apparently broke up after Lindsay caught the reality star lothario in bed with another woman.
6 of 11Kate Wright and Rio Ferdinand
She may be Mrs Ferdinand now, but back when she met her footballer husband Kate Wright was best known for getting the run around from then-boyfriend Dan Edgar on TOWIE. Kate had just split from Dan when she met Rio and the rest, they say, is history. The genetically-blessed pair married in Turkey in 2018 and welcomed baby boy Cree in December 2020.
7 of 11Samira Mighty and Chris Pine
These two met at a GQ Man of the Year afterparty in 2018 when they swapped numbers and Chris asked Samira out on a date. WHAT? Chris seemed keen to continue the relationship but Samira had to turn him down because she was appearing on Love Island. Obsessed.
8 of 11Stephanie Davies and Zayn Malik
Hollyoaks and CBB star Stephanie actually dated for five months in 2010 before Zayn moved on with fellow X-Factor star Perrie Edwards. Incidentally Perrie and Zayn's relationship was plagued by cheating rumours including with Love Island's Lauren Richardson.
9 of 11Louise Thompson and Niall Horan
Made in Chelsea's Louise Thompson experienced her fair share of heartbreak during her tumultuous relationship with SW3's resident bad boy Spencer Matthews, but she ended up doing the dirty on her next boyfriend Andy Jordan. It was later reported that Louise's other man was none other than One Direction star Niall Horan.
10 of 11Kim Kardashian and Kayne West
In fairness we would definitely call Kim Kardashian an A-Lister as well but technically she is also a reality star. Kim and Kanye met in 2003 but, after her two failed marriages, they confirmed that they were finally an item in 2012. Unfortunately, after a six year marriage and four ADORABLE kids, the two decided to call it quits January 2021.
11 of 11Chad Johnson and Sarah Harding
Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding met The Bachelorette star Chad Johnson on Celebrity Big Brother back in 2017 but after a whirlwind three months together, long-distance and Chad's cheating ways broke them up.
After splitting with Jesy, you described life as a “sh-t storm”. What have you learned about yourself since that break-up?
When I said it was a sh-t storm, I meant in terms of COVID and not being able to see people. But what I’ve learned over the last couple of years is you’ve just got to be patient in life. There’s a saying that I love, “To see a rainbow, you need rain.” Not every day is going to be perfect, because that wouldn’t be life. It’s about taking the rough with the smooth.
Are you and Jesy still friends?
We will always be close. We’ve always supported each other and have no reason to ever dislike each other. We just have respect for each other. I never look back and regret anything in life. I’m excited for her new music – she’s very talented, so I think she’ll smash it.
And are you still close with Kem Cetinay?
Yeah, I was supposed to go to his house last Saturday for a sleepover and to watch our series of Love Island, but then I had to work. I was in the car being driven somewhere the other day, and was watching some of our old episodes on the ITV Hub. There were some funny moments!
You’re doing so well presenting horse racing on ITV and the BBC’s cricket coverage. Tell us about your work with National Racehorse Week?
There’s a stigma around the way racehorses are treated, but I’ve grown up with horses since I was a kid and I know how well they are treated. Having a National Racehorse Week is a great initiative to show people who doubt that.
Chris is an ambassador for National Racehorse Week, 12-19 Sep. To book, visit Nationalracehorseweek.uk
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