16 April 2024 , 14:43
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Katie Price's TV star beau JJ Slater has come out swinging in defence of their 14-year age gap love story.
The model's boyfriend has finally spoken up, defending their romance against the naysayers. The 31-year-old reality star first connected with Katie, now 45, when she slid into his DMs last December after he revealed his diabetes diagnosis.
A simple coffee date sparked an undeniable chemistry and they've been inseparable ever since. Their whirlwind romance has even sparked whispers of wedding bells, despite some critics frowning upon their age difference.
However, JJ, known for his stint on Married at First Sight, told MailOnline that he's not bothered by the backlash and Katie makes him incredibly "happy". He confessed that during his time on the E4 show, he secretly wished Katie was the one waiting for him at the altar.
The couple have stood by each other through thick and thin, especially as Katie faced bankruptcy for the second time, reports the Daily Star. In a recent interview, JJ confessed that his relationship with Katie took him by surprise.
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Katie and JJ first met up as friends (PA)"It wasn't something I was looking for, I had been on Married At First Sight UK, which was a stressful and intense experience but with Kate and I... it just happened super naturally," he shared. After initially meeting for a coffee as friends, the pair decided to pursue a romantic relationship.
JJ mentioned that Katie has been incredibly supportive following his medical diagnosis, something he deeply "appreciated". He continued: "Of course, she is obviously a very, very attractive lady and I do fancy her, she's my girlfriend now. But I have always thought she was fit."
When asked about their age difference, JJ dismissed it as irrelevant, stating that compatibility is what truly matters in a relationship. "With our age, it's not even a consideration... age doesn't matter at all," he asserted. "Age is just a number and when you're older it's not an issue. We're both on the same page and wave length and that's all that matters."
Katie has had her fair share of failed relationships and marriages, having been married three times previously. Her ex-husbands include Peter Andre, Alex Reid and Kieran Hayler, along with other serious relationships that didn't work out - the most recent being Carl Woods.
But JJ, who also owns a clothing brand, has been smitten with the Pricey despite her complex dating past. He's even confessed they've exchanged 'I love yous' and believes their mutual effort is a sign of something real.
"We are both adults and I wouldn't be with someone if I didn't see a future with them. So, that's how I see it, we aren't together to waste each other's time - we are adults so of course, I see a future with her."