Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn secretly dating Towie hunk for FOUR months as they’re seen snogging in the street

CORONATION Street actress Katie McGlynn has been enjoying a secret romance with former reality TV hunk Ricky Rayment, The Sun can exclusively reveal.

The loved-up couple were spotted out shopping together on Saturday close to the former TOWIE star’s home in Essex.

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Manchester-based Katie, 30, had travelled down to Essex to be with her new man when they were seen holding hands and even stopped for a cheeky smooch.

The pair have been together for four months.

Our exclusive pictures show the pair locking lips during their date.

An onlooker said: “They very much looked like girlfriend and boyfriend. They were holding hands, having a laugh and even had a little kiss as they walked amongst other Saturday afternoon shoppers.

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“We noticed them as they were walking out of Hotel Chocolat. Ricky must’ve bought Katie an early Valentine’s Day gift as he was carrying a bag from there. They looked really happy together.”

Blonde Katie wouldn’t be the first Corrie actress to fall for a TOWIE hunk, as her former co-star Michelle Keegan is happily married to TV and radio star Mark Wright.

The actress, who has been single for the last five years, posted a picture to her Instagram stories on Saturday afternoon enjoying a lunch date after their shopping trip.

The Sun understands that the couple met at the start of October while on holiday and have been inseparable ever since.

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A source said: “Katie and Ricky are really loved up. They’ve been careful to keep things low key while they got to know each other.

“But they’ve got to the point where they don’t care who sees them anymore.

"Valentine’s is around the corner and they’re both really happy together.”

Ricky, 32, starred in hit ITV reality show TOWIE from 2012 to 2015 but turned his back on fame to run a fishing lake business.

During his reality star days he had a string of famous girlfriends including TOWIE babe Jess Wright and was engaged to Geordie Shore’s Marnie Simpson following a whirlwind romance.

The source added: “Katie has never dated anyone involved in the world of showbiz but Ricky is really down to earth.

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"He quit it all some years ago and has worked really hard to make his fishing business a success.”

Katie left Corrie back in 2019 after her much-loved character Sinead tragically died from cervical cancer. Her portrayal of the young mum saw her scoop the Best Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards.

In 2021 she took part in Strictly Come Dancing whilst also filming a nine month stint on Hollyoaks.

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Last year she completed a five-month nationwide theatre tour of ‘Wish You Were Dead’ where she played the lead character.

Last night a spokesman for Katie declined to comment.