Dec Donnelly 'dating panto star'

Declan Donnelly is reportedly dating actress Louise Dearman after seeing her play Cinderella in a panto.

They apparently met after Donnelly and Ant McPartlin went to see friend Jonathan Wilkes in the show at Stoke's Regent Theatre. He was distracted by the blonde co-star and now their relationship is said to be going strong.

"It is early days yet but all the signs are good," said a friend. "He really hopes it works out because he has suffered a lot of heartache and deserves some luck."

The source told the People: "He sees how happily married his comedy partner Ant McPartlin is and wants to be happy too - although it just doesn't seem to happen for him."

Another added: "They got chatting afterwards and swapped numbers and have been in touch by phone ever since, as well as meeting up whenever they can."