THEY were accused of faking their romance for publicity after getting together on Celebrity Big Brother, but over a year on, Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa have proved the doubters wrong and are stronger than ever.
In fact, the former Love Island star says their relationship has reached a new, exciting milestone – despite still living hundreds of miles apart.
Chris Hughes is planning his marriage proposal to JoJo Siwa Credit: Splash
Chris says he knew there was something special about JoJo as soon as they met Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
In an exclusive interview, the 33-year-old reveals what he and the American star really get up to behind closed doors when they finally reunite.
And the distance hasn’t put off of marriage, as today he reveals how he is planning a and wants a family with JoJo, 23.
Chris currently lives in the UK while is based in , but he says the long distance only strengthens their relationship.
He says: “There’s an element of it being really refreshing every time you go out there, and it’s almost like you see them again for the first time. It does feel a bit like absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
JoJo has given Chris a front-row seat to a level of fame unlike anything he’s experienced before. She first won acclaim on before building a reported £15 million fortune through music, TV and business ventures. Her anti-bullying anthem Boomerang has racked up more than a billion YouTube views, while she’s sold millions of her trademark hair bows.
And Chris is in admiration of how she handles it all.
He says: “She has a load of people coming up to her all the time. She’s very sweet, she’s very good with all of her fans and stuff, but she kind of can’t go anywhere to be honest.”
The attention means that when the pair are finally reunited, they just want to hide away from the world.
Chris is now an ambassador for National Racehorse Week Credit: PA
Chris says he wants the proposal to be a complete surprise Credit: Instagram
He says: “One of us is usually jet lagged, so we just chill. Over there, in Palm Springs, we play golf every day. She lives in a very peaceful spot on a golf course. It’s a celebrity neighbourhood. I think used to live nearby. But it’s very relaxed.
“When she’s here she likes being cooked for. She’s turned into an English tea drinker and now drinks Yorkshire Tea – she makes an unbelievable cup of tea now – and we go and visit my horse.”
Chris, who spent five years as and is now ambassador for National Racehorse Week, wants her to share his passion for riding, but is worried the woman he loves may injure herself.
He adds: “I’ve not got her on a racehorse yet, but I will one day. But it will be a nice safe one, I wouldn’t want her to fall off.”
Their whirlwind romance came after both endured turbulent relationship histories.
Chris enjoyed high-profile romances with , 35, after meeting her on the third series of in 2017 and went on to date Little Mix star , 35, and British golfer Annabel Dimmock, 29.
Meanwhile, JoJo entered the house still in a relationship with female Australian influencer 28.
As Chris and JoJo grew closer in the house, fans became convinced there was more than friendship between them.
JoJo split from Kath after the live final before confirming her romance with Chris – sparking “showmance” claims.
Chris wants to have children with JoJo before he gets much older Credit: Instagram / @itsjojosiwa
Chris also had a high-profile romance with fellow Love Islander Olivia Attwood Credit: PA:Press Association
But Chris insists the doubters couldn’t have been more wrong, revealing he knew there was something special about JoJo almost as soon as they met.
He says: “I knew straight away, I really loved her personality. Within days of meeting, I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is going to be my girlfriend’. We got along so well and we kind of had each other’s backs in there.”
Since then, Chris says he’s learnt to ignore the critics and just “cracks on and lives” his life.
And what better way to prove their doubters wrong – and cement their love – than by making JoJo his wife?
“I’ve definitely given it some thought,” he says. “But I don’t know the exact location or what time of day. I think spontaneity would be good, something a little bit different to your usual ways, but when it feels right, I’ll know.”
And part of their plans for the future is having children and creating a family dynamic that mirrors his own.
“I come from a family where you get married, you have children, and that’s what life’s all about,” he says. “I’ve got a huge family, lots of aunties, uncles and nieces, so obviously one day I’d love to have children of my own.
“I would love to be a certain age where I can still swing a club while they’re good players as well. That would be cool.”
Chris says he admires how JoJo handles fame Credit: instagram/itsjojosiwa
Chris will make sure he’s in the UK from 22-31 August for National Racehorse Week Credit: PA
Family is clearly hugely important to Chris, which is why getting the seal of approval from his mum Valerie and dad Paul was always going to mean a lot to him.
And it seems JoJo has more than passed the test, with the couple’s families quickly becoming close.
He says: “I’ve spent a lot of time with her family and she’s spent a lot of time with mine. We’ve all got on really, really well from the start which is important because family means everything to me.”
With and children firmly on Chris’s mind, there’s just one big question left unanswered – whether the couple will eventually settle in Britain or America.
But for now, Chris insists there’s no rush. “We haven’t had major, major discussions about it because of work and how busy we are in our own countries,” he explains.
“But no, we’ve not given it loads of thought. Everything works perfectly at the moment. She loves coming over here. I love going over there. That helps massively. It works great.”
Wherever they end up calling home, there is one thing that Chris knows won’t change and that’s his partner’s positivity and level head.
He says: “She’s incredibly mature. I think she’s lived two lifetimes already. She’s a businesswoman. She’s worked since she was a kid. She’s employed a lot of people. She’s done all these TV shows.
“She’s seen more than most people would ever see by the time they’re 23.
“She’s just so nice too, so friendly, she’s like a breath of fresh air when she’s around people I know. She gets on with everyone and energy radiates from her to other people. She’s one of the most positive people I’ve ever met.”
JoJo has also been a huge support to Chris, who in the past has battled and panic attacks and is an advocate for awareness.
He says: “If I am stressed she always says, ‘Just breathe’. If something goes wrong, she’ll just say, ‘It’s alright’. I think that’s one of the biggest things she’s taught me.”
And while JoJo may be a huge part of Chris’s life, he’s also got another great passion – .
He’ll be making sure he’s on home soil between August 22nd and 31st for National Racehorse Week, an event that will see over 75 elite racing stables across the country open their gates to show visitors how horses are trained and to meet the staff.
Fans can also visit dedicated charity centres to see how thoroughbreds are rehabilitated and retrained for new careers.
Chris loves the role, which involves encouraging the public to visit training yards, studs, and retraining centres to learn about equine care, but when it comes to other career goals there’s still one glittering ambition he is yet to tick off.
He laughs: “I wouldn’t mind a bit of one day. I can’t dance, but I’m open to improvement.
“My life is great now as it is though. I have everything I could wish for.”
- Chris Hughes is an ambassador for National Racehorse Week. To meet a racehorse this summer visit nationalracehorseweek.uk .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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