The former TOWIE star split from Katie McGlynn earlier this year

Although he’s not appeared on TOWIE in a decade, Ricky Rayment hit the headlines once again last year when he went public with former Coronation Street star Katie McGlynn.

Sadly though, Ricky and Katie split over the summer after two years together and she’s now rumoured to be dating someone new. Although they haven’t confirmed their romance, the ex-Corrie actress was pictured snogging fellow soap star Max Bowden – who played Ben Mitchell in EastEnders between 2019 and 2024 – on a night out.

In the wake of Katie’s kiss with Max, her ex Ricky is said to be ‘heartbroken’ as their breakup is still ‘raw’.

‘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,’ a source told The Sun.

‘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.’

Pictures obtained by the publication show Katie and Max, who are currently both starring in touring play Murder At Midnight, locking lips on a night out in Malvern after their performance.

They were also seen leaving a pub hand-in-hand earlier this month, with an onlooker revealing, ‘The couple seemed very intimate and comfortable in each other’s company. They only had eyes for each other.’

Ricky and Katie split in July and, at the time, a source claimed that the pair found it ‘difficult’ to make their long distance relationship work as Katie is based in Manchester while Ricky lives in Essex.

‘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 MailOnline. ‘It was difficult at times for them dating even though they lived miles apart from each other but ultimately it just wasn’t meant to be.’

Meanwhile Max has previously dated former EastEnders co-star Shona McGarty and podcast host Roisin Buckle, who is mum to his son Reggie.

Nathan Katnoria is Closer’s Senior Digital Writer and resident TOWIE expert. He’s seen all 35 (thirty five!) series of the ITVBe show and regularly reminisces about forgotten TOWIE romances from years gone by. Although he’s never been to Brentwood, Nathan has interviewed loads of TOWIE faves past and present including Sam Faiers, Chloe Brockett, Diags and Georgia Kousoulou.