The Sun can reveal our exclusive images – which saw the ex Corrie star, 32, in a romantic embrace with Max Bowden, 30 – were a “blow” to the Towie alum, 35, who is still “raw” from their break-up.

In July, we reported how the TV stars had called it quits – but vowed to “remain friends”.

Yet it appears their bond may have been tested after scenes of the “very intimate” PDA emerged.

A source has now told us: “Ricky still cares about Katie and wants her to be happy, but of course, seeing the pictures of her kissing Max were a blow to him.

“Nobody would like seeing their ex looking so loved up so soon after splitting up, so it’s not been easy for him, but there is no bad blood between them.

“He wishes her the best, he would just rather not have seen those snaps while things are still pretty raw for him.”

SNEAKY SNOG

Over the weekend, we were first to report how Max, 30, shared a steamy kiss with Katie, 32, after a night out in Malvern, where they had been performing their touring play Murder At Midnight.

Max, best known for playing Ben Mitchell in the BBC1 soap, emerged hand-in-hand with Katie, who played Sinead Tinker in the Cobbles, from the Wetherspoons pub, The Foley Arms, earlier this month.

An onlooker said: “The couple seemed very intimate and comfortable in each other’s company. They only had eyes for each other.”

Max has previously dated EastEnders co-stars Danielle Harold, 33, and Shona McGarty, 34.

A source revealed to us: “Max and Katie have been around each other for years.

“They were in the soap world for so long where everyone knows each other.

“They’ve got loads in common and both have found themselves single at the same time as doing the tour.

“They get on well and have been spending time together – it’s clear they’ve got chemistry. Who knows what the future holds?”

SAD SPLIT

Katie started dating former reality star Ricky after meeting on a cruise ship in 2023.

Back in July, we told how the pair had split two years after becoming an item – and in the midst of engagement rumours.

Last February, speculation started to mount that the former soap star and reality star were about to head down the aisle, after she was pictured with a sparkler on her ring finger.

Last year, her spokesperson denied that she and Ricky had got engaged, and said any confusion stemmed from Katie’s penchant for wearing jewellery on different fingers.

They said: “Katie and Ricky are very happy together, but they are not engaged.

“Katie likes to wear various rings and jewellery and just happened to wear one on her ring finger.”

Yet their split this year came as they deleted all trace of each other from their social media.

“Katie and Ricky have ended their romance, they’re still friends and want to remain civil but in terms of a romantic relationship, it’s definitely over,” a source told the MailOnline.

They added that they found it “difficult” to maintain a long distance relationship, with Katie in Manchester and Ricky in Essex.