Newly-single Maya Jama gets tactile with hunky chef James Freeman outside his trendy Notting Hill restaurant after split from Ruben Dias

enjoyed a flirty evening with chef James Freeman over the weekend.

The newly single TV star, who split from footballer in April after 18 months together, was seen hugging the hunky chef outside his restaurant Acre in Notting Hill, West London.

Maya, 31, had been enjoying an afternoon at the popular eatery with a group of pals before heading outside to chat to James, 27.

The two looked close, sharing a hug at one point during the intimate conversation, before James clasped Maya's hands in his. 

An onlooker said: 'Maya and James appeared to strike up a close bond long after service had finished. They were chatting, drinking and smoking before hugging.'

The fun continued into the night as Maya, James and their group of friends all headed to a nearby house party. 

Maya was in great spirits, looking fab in a black crop top and matching skirt as she jokingly plonked a wide-brimmed hat on her head for a wobbly stroll down the street. 

Although Maya looked cosy with James, the source insisted to The Sun that Maya and the chef are friends and he is in a relationship. 

The Love Island host called it quits on her relationship with Ruben in April.

Maya publicly addressed the break up for the first time as she responded to a clip from the podcast Cocktails and Takeaways as they discussed her relationship.

She penned: 'Truth is even when I tried to keep my relationships private we get photographed anyway, I'm an all or nothing girl.'

'I don't casually date, so yes I will love loudly or not at all and if it ends it ends, I decided a long time ago not to base personal life decisions on public opinions.'

Following their split, Ruben was accused of sending late night follow requests to a string of gorgeous influencers while still romantically involved with Maya.

However, the Manchester City star has since insisted he did not cheat and said Maya 'deserves all the respect in the world'.

He wrote: 'I feel that when my 85-year-old grandad is asking me if I've cheated on my girlfriend because he's seen it repeatedly on the news, that's where I draw the line on what's acceptable and what's not. 

'Maya and I have always had a relationship built on mutual respect. No line was ever crossed in that regard. 

'A lie told often enough can start to feel like the truth and for that reason I tell you that I didn't cheat, nor did I ever have the intention or temptation to.'

'I believe Maya deserves all the respect in the world.

'The reasons why we broke up are private and belong to us and we've both dealt with it in a very mature way. I've always chosen to remain silent on these matters as my personal life is my business only.

'But I also believe it's wrong to lie to people and to portray an opposite image of someone just for clickbait.

'Respect me, respect Maya, and understand that not always one has to betray the other in order for a relationship to end.'