Love Island’s Liberty Poole hits back over claims about new boyfriend and reveals how she knows he’s for real

LIBERTY Poole has broken her silence amid concerns from her pals that her new boyfriend is only with her for fame.

The TV beauty, 24, has opened up on the budding relationship for the first time in a new podcast interview.

Liberty revealed that she was dating hunky model Joshua Raybould earlier this month as she shared a steamy video of the two in a passionate embrace.

However, very quickly some of Liberty's pals expressed their doubts about Joshua amid rumours he was using the star as his own pass to stardom.

Now the All Stars contestant has shut down any speculation on the podcast where she admitted she had actually been close to Joshua before even stepping foot into the villa for the first time back in 2021.

She told the show's host Johnny Seifert: “Me and Josh have known each other since before Love Island.

"I've known Josh since I was, like, 19. So, even before I went on the show.

"I literally looked back the other day and he has always been in my Instagram likes and everything since before Love Island and he's always kind of dropped a hint or tried to take me out.

"I kept pieing him off and was like no, no, no!"

Reflecting on their romance, Liberty admitted she had "never realised" that he was the guy for her until recently despite their years of friendship.

She went on to say: "I'd done three dating shows and I wasn't successful but me and him had always chatted just like here and there and he was like 'let me take you out' but I wasn't sure.

"I've always been really bad at giving guys the chase as I just fall head over heels really quick but without knowing, I've actually given him the chase."

Liberty and Josh began dating after he messaged her over their shared love of rock band Blink 182 which resulted in a hilarious mishap which saw Liberty confuse the band's drummer Travis Barker for hip-hop artist Travis Scott.

Moreover, the former Nando's waitress confessed that she had never found true love until she met Josh in a bid to silence the critics who have had words to say over the state of their romance.

She added on the podcast: “It just feels nice and natural and I've always liked the idea of love but I don't think I've actually ever been in love or really knew what that was until I met Josh.

"He's got such a big personality, like he's actually so funny.”

Before hitting back, sources exclusively told The Sun how many of Liberty's friends were deeply concerned about hers and Josh's romance.

They noted that he has been involved in various high-profile TV projects and they are worried about what his true intentions may be.

A source told The Sun: "Liberty's pals are worried she's heading for more heartbreak.

"Her new man has been on reality shows in the past and clearly likes the spotlight.

"But Lib is smitten and has insisted he's not using her for fame.'

The insider also revealed that fans of her are worried that she might be heading for heartbreak yet again.

Liberty and Josh's loved-up union was confirmed in a sweet video in which the pair were seen cuddling and snogging each other, as he was seen grabbing her cheeks and he even attempted to lick the side of her face.

She wrote: "Best trip with you [love heart]."