The Block heartthrob Ricky Recard has hit back at ‘love rat’ claims made by his jilted ex girlfriend Lauren Smith.
The controversial reality star made headlines this week after it was revealed he dumped Lauren on the eve of a dream overseas trip to hook up with married make-up artist Erin Lee, who he met while filming the reality show.
Appearing on Fifi, Fev & Nick on Tuesday, Ricky, 34, said that he was shocked Lauren would air the former couple’s dirty laundry in public.
The curious admission came after host Brendan Fevola broached the hot-button topic.
‘Now, Ricky, you little love rat,’ he said. ‘Your ex has come out, Lozza, and she’s labelled you a love rat. What’s happened, man? You’ve hooked up with a 40-year-old mum or something?’ Brendan asked the reality star.
It appeared that Ricky was not comfortable with his new moniker, replying: ‘Geez, love rat’s a bit harsh.’
After admitting that Lauren had indeed branded Ricky with the less than ringing appraisal, the star revealed that he was surprised that she had spoken out.
‘I was pretty shocked,’ he said.
The Block heartthrob Ricky Recard has hit back at ‘ love rat’ claims from jilted ex Lauren Smith on Fifi, Fev and Nick. also pictured is Ricky’s Block co-star Haydn Wise and host Nick Cody
‘I’m shocked when anyone goes to the media about that sort of thing. That’s not really my style.’
Adding that he bore no ill will toward his former flame, Rickey revealed that his relationship with Erin was first kindled before filming started on the latest series of The Block.
‘I don’t have anything bad to say about her,’ Ricky said.
‘I was lucky enough to meet Erin just before filming started on The Block, on one of the launching days we had down there [in Phillip Island].’
‘I’m shocked when anyone goes to the media about that sort of thing. That’s not really my style.,’ Ricky revealed. he is pictured with new flame Erin Lee.
‘I was lucky enough to meet Erin just before filming started on The Block, on one of the launching days we had down there [in Phillip Island],’ he added
‘She fell in love with the kit, did she?’ Brendan asked, referring to the colourful retro tracksuit and matching cap Ricky was wearing.
Ricky noted that The Block presented a great opportunity for romance.
‘It wasn’t the kit mate, I’m not sure what she fell in love with to be honest with you,’ he replied.
‘The Block is apparently good for a couple of things, it’s not only building dream houses for potential families but also a love story there as well.’
‘We’re very happy,’ Ricky added.
Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed the 34-year-old plumber broke up with Lauren Smith after she had waited three months at home for him while he filmed the new series of Nine’s reno show on Phillip Island.
Just days after the split, he revealed he was now dating married mother-of-two Erin Lee, who had broken up with her heartbroken husband to be with the show’s star.
To add insult to injury, Recard jetted straight off on holiday with his new lover, leaving Lauren to go on their romantic getaway to Mexico for her 30th by herself.
‘I was absolutely blindsided,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I spent three months looking after his dogs and his house while also helping his employee with the business.’
His heartbroken ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith says she was ‘blindsided’ after dog-sitting and minding his house for three months whilst he was busy filming on The Block
Lauren said the couple had an overseas holiday arranged to celebrate her milestone birthday, which would have been the first trip away from her young daughter.
‘We were due to go at the beginning of July for my 30th birthday but we broke up about two weeks after he got back from filming,’ she said.
‘I found out while I was in Mexico that he had apparently begun a relationship with Erin during the time I was away.’
Ricky, from Melbourne, has proudly boasted of his budding relationship with 40-year-old mum-of-two on social media.
The couple flew to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland last month and ‘hard launched’ their relationship on his private Instagram page.
Ricky Recard, left, has made an impression with female fans after joining The Block alongside his best mate Haydn Wise (pictured) on the Yellow Team
He posted an image of the couple together with the caption: ‘Beach time with this stunner.’
On Thursday Ms Lee also shared of her with Recard, with the message: ‘Sometimes the path we never planned leads us to brighter things and the happiness we always needed.
‘Trust the journey.’
Erin’s estranged husband Lucas Day – who is a lookalike for love rival Ricky- insists his wife only hooked up with the Block tradie after their marriage ended
‘We are separated now and I’ve dealt with it,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They got together after we split when he got back from Mexico in July and we were done then.’
Day also agreed he bears a striking resemblance to Ms Lee’s new lover, calling the similarity between the pair as ‘strange’.
‘It is a bit strange, it definitely is,’ he said.
Lauren shared a gushing post about her now ex on Instagram
In a recent interview with New Idea, Ricky confirmed his new lover, but didn’t identify her.
Biazrrely though, despite her working as a make-up artist on The Block, he claimed she not know of his role on the show.
‘I can definitely say she was impressed, and why wouldn’t she be?’ he said.
‘The reason why she was impressed was not because I’m on The Block. She thinks it’s pretty funny.
‘She didn’t know I was on The Block when we started seeing each other.’
Ricky and his new love enjoyed a getaway to Port Douglas together last month
He even claimed she poked fun at him and joked she was now dating ‘someone famous’.
Ricky also responded to viewers who have called him the heartthrob on this year’s hotly-anticipated 20th anniversary series.
He has won female fans, with many viewers naming him their all-time celebrity crush as they swooned over his rugged looks.
Fans have also been left charmed by his positive attitude and cheeky sense of humour, taking to social media to claim Ricky’s Yellow Team as their favourites.
The plumber laughed off being called a celebrity crush as he insisted he is not famous enough to be given the label.
‘I don’t know if I consider myself a celebrity, seriously,’ he told Yahoo Lifestyle.
‘I think as a celebrity, you’ve got to have a fair resume, right? Like Shelley [Craft], she’s got The List – Saturday Disney for years, Funniest Home Videos, The Block.
‘She’s an Australian icon and I’m just an absolute nobody. But if people want to have a crush on me, that’s cool. I appreciate the love.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ricky and Nine Network for comment.
Lucas Day (right) admits he bares a striking resemblance to his ex’s new lover