THEY shocked the world when they shared a loved up photo nuzzling each other’s necks on a ranch in Tennessee last month.
And insiders close to Liz Hurley say her relationship with Billy Ray Cyrus is about to take a huge step forward.
Our source reveals pals of the couple knew nothing about the courtship until a joint social media post appeared online.
And while it’s hard to imagine what a budding romance between a “posh”;; British actress who lives in a 17th-century mansion and a-born rock star still dealing with the fallout of, might look like, The Sun can reveal it’s .
So besotted is Billy with his English rose, he’s laid on private jets, red roses and a holiday to the island of Nevis for next month.
One friend told us: “Billy is besotted with Liz. He can’t believe this chance he’s been given and he’s throwing everything at it, including this very expensive birthday trip to the Caribbean.
“He thinks she’s the most beautiful woman in the world and feels incredibly lucky.
“He spoils her rotten with gifts but mostly they just enjoy hanging out, listening to records and making each other laugh.”;;
Liz also confirmed that new beau Billy would be in the UK for the special birthday, saying this week: “He should be in England for my birthday. He’ll be meeting my family – and my dogs – and hopefully, it’ll be lovely.”;;
And insiders revealed that marriage could even be on the cards, with Billy’s family hoping Liz could be the one to turn things around in the warring Cyrus family.
Mere weeks before , Liz had been at a glamorous party in Jaipur with showbiz pals and Richard E Grant.
But while hints had already been dropped on social media, they too had been kept in the dark about .
Christopher – who has been close friends with Liz for decades but is yet to meet Billy – adds: “I am pleased that she is happy with Billy and that she is having a good time.
“She seemed really happy. She’s always happy but she seems even happier.”;;
Secret relationship
Liz, 59, and 63-year-old – – had been secretly for three months by that point.
It’s easy to understand why Liz wanted to keep her new romance under wraps for so long – having endured her fair share of heartbreak over the years.
Another friend explained: “Liz has been through so much.
“She’s a tough cookie and she’s stronger because of what she’s been through.
“But she deserves to have some romance in her life.”;;
Born in Basingstoke to middle-class parents, Liz burst onto the scene after attending the premiere with her then-partner , wearing the .
She played up to the posh image she’d begun to cultivate by being Hugh’s girlfriend, modelling for high end brands like Estee Lauder and insisting she be called Elizabeth not Liz.
But her world turned upside down when for soliciting the services of sex worker in 1995.
Liz stood by him for another five years until they decided to split and remain friends.
Only last year she said: “I hardly ever see him, but he’s still very close to my heart.”;;
Despite the public humiliation, Liz’s career went from strength to strength as she starred in two Austin Powers films as well as playing the devil in 2000 Bedazzled.
Not long after their split, Liz’s life went in a very different direction when in 2002 she gave birth to her one and only child Damian – who would go on to become the greatest, enduring love of her life.
But her newfound love was bittersweet as Damian’s father, , denied paternity, claiming that he and Liz had a brief, non-exclusive relationship in 2001.
Tragic loss
A DNA test later established Bing as Damian’s father. Liz and Bing remained friends but in 2020, .
After his death, Liz said: “I am saddened beyond belief that my ex Steve is no longer with us. It is a terrible end.
“Our time together was very happy and I’m posting these pictures because although we went through some tough times, it’s the good, wonderful memories of a sweet, kind man that matter.
“In the past year, we had become close again. We last spoke on our son’s 18th birthday. This is devastating news and I thank everyone for their lovely messages.”;;
Liz’s other great loves include businessman Aran Nayar who she married in 2007.
But they separated three years later before finalising their in 2011, citing Nayar’s “unreasonable behaviour”;;.
Three months after her divorce, to former Australian cricketer .
In 2012, they bought the Grade II–listed mansion Donnington Hall, near Ledbury, . A year later, they had separated.
in March 2022, aged 52, with devastated Liz stating: “The sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved Lionheart.”;;
It is these many heartaches which brought Liz and Billy together, especially when Liz was there for Billy at one of his darkest moments after they met on the set of the 2022 film In Paradise.
In April of that year, Billy and his wife of more than three decades, – with whom including superstar Miley – split, with her citing “irreconcilable differences”;;.
Sources have claimed that their was plagued by “intense bouts of and alleged abuse,”;; adding that when they split, it completely divided the Cyrus family.
A shocking audio recording leaked on the web saw Billy referring to Miley – whom he had starred alongside in sitcom – as a “skank”;; and the “devil”;;.
It was the final straw for the Wrecking Ball songstress – as one report claimed her father was now “dead to her”;;.
If that isn’t enough, earlier this year his son Trace posted a heart-wrenching plea on Instagram, begging his dad to get “help”;; following a “train wreck”;; performance at ‘s inauguration.
Trace said he “barely recognised”;; his father anymore, and warned: “You’re not healthy, Dad and everyone is noticing it.”;;
That all followed Billy’s whirlwind seven-month marriage to , 17 years his junior, which ended in a in May 2024 – with both accusing the other of abuse and leading Billy to become a recluse.
I’m excited for her and I’m excited to see where it goes. We all need love, right?
David Furnish, Elton John's husband
But it was Liz who pulled him through. And friends of Billy believe she might be the person who can turn his life around.
Another admits his children “are still hopeful – especially now Liz is by his side”;;.
Speaking last week about working with the Brit beauty on Christmas In Paradise, Billy explained: “We did very few scenes together but the couple times we were in the same scene there was a chemistry there.
“We just laughed, and it was at a time I wasn’t laughing a lot.”;;
Liz later reached out to him via text at the height of his personal woes.
He continues: “I felt like, wow, can life get any harder? Can it get any tougher?
“For me, at a certain point it was like, you can’t get knocked down any flatter than laying on your back when life is kicking you. And in this moment... a friend reached out.”;;
The text from an unknown number read: “Hey, it looks like life might be a little bit tough and just wanted you to know I’m in your corner. You’ve got a friend in your corner.”;;
“So I text back, I go, ‘Who is this?’ And it’s like, ‘Elizabeth Hurley,’”;; Cyrus recalls.
“Of all the people to reach out to me in that second that maybe I needed most... this friend who made me laugh.”;;
The “Achy Breaky Heart”;; singer – who rose to fame in 1992 with the release of the chart-topping -nominated single, releasing 16 studio albums and being nominated for seven Grammy Awards – went on to praise Liz.
“She’s so impressively brilliant,”;; he gushed.
“She reminds me a lot of . She’s a very smart businesswoman. If you can laugh together, you can make it through everything.”;;
He also said he has a relationship with Liz’s son Damian adding: “No expectations of where we go from here other than her and her son — I do love him a lot, and it’s great that God brought them into my life when he did.
“It’s just a good thing. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this happy.”;;
And while some friends believe marriage could be on the cards for the couple, Liz insists that’s not what matters to her.
She explained: “I’d definitely be open to the idea of being loved, loving someone, having someone fantastic in my life and sharing it.
“I don’t know if marriage comes into that to be honest, because I’m not going to have more children, and I don’t need anyone to pay my or give me a roof over my head.
“But I would like someone for companionship, fun.”;;
She’s having the time of her life with Billy and I can see her spending many years with him
Friend
The couple have enjoyed a romantic holiday in and time at his ranch.
– who is godfather to her son Damian – and his husband were said to be worried about their pal’s new romance, with Furnish saying: “Obviously that little side of me is a little protective...because your best girlfriends, when you really love them...you just want to make sure they’re okay.
“But I also know her as really smart, and really capable of looking after herself and a really good judge of character.
“So I’m excited for her and I’m excited to see where it goes. We all need love, right?”;;
Another friend is just relieved that she is finally getting her happy ever after – even if it’s with a wild rock star.
One tells the Sun: “Liz has her head firmly screwed on and she knows what she wants. She’s having the time of her life with Billy and I can see her spending many years with him.
“They’re just taking each day as it comes and enjoying each other’s company.
“Long may it continue. I just hope Billy doesn’t leave her with an Achy Breaky Heart.”;;
