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‘My mum’s friends ask if our love is fake’: Chloe-Jasmine Whichello and Stevi Ritchie defend their relationship
X Factor rejects appeared on This Morning to reveal why they cancelled their wedding
EVEN Chloe-Jasmine Whichello's mum has questioned if her relationship with Stevi Ritchie is real.
The X Factor rejects appeared on today's This Morning to shoot down the rumours that their relationship is nothing more than a showmance - and reveal why they decided to cancel their wedding and instead opt for a blessing on a boat.
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Speaking about rumours that her parents didn't approve of her marrying the dad-of-one, Chloe said: "They have said you need a house, you need to be living together or it could be viewed as a bit of a publicity stunt.
"Even my mother's friends have asked if our relationship is fake."
The nation's interest in Chloe and 35-year-old Stevi, who met while competing on the 2014 series of The X Factor, peaked last summer when they participated in Celebrity Big Brother.
But in hindsight, Chloe, 25, admitted it might not have been the best move for the couple, who have been under intense scrutiny ever since.
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She said: "Basically we started dating and eight months later we are on a TV show - our first experience of living together was broadcast to the public.
"It can be quite frustrating when people think they know you, and they don't."
Stevi - who still lives at home with his parents - added that it was the pressure that came from their increased public profile that made them cancel their wedding - and nothing to do with the abuse rumours that have plagued their love.
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Stevi was forced to deny that he had been abusive to Chloe, a recovering alcoholic, but admitted he sometimes said hurtful words to her in the heat of the moment.
He told Rylan Clarke and his husband Dan Neal: "It was a lot of pressure on us.
"We had a lot going on, and it comes to that point where we thought we needed a break."
Chloe added: "Everyone in the street was saying, 'when you are you getting married, when you getting married?'
"Invites were sent. But we decided to take a step back and assess our relationship.
"Marriage, a relationship, is a marathon not a sprint."
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The couple then explained why they opted to have a non legally-binding boat blessing rather than a full blown wedding - and why none of their family attended.
Stevi said: "We wanted to show a commitment, that our love is real and genuine.
"We've put the wedding on hold but it doesn't mean it won't happen."
Chloe said she regards it as being just as holy as a wedding ceremony.
She explained: "For me a blessing is as viable as a marriage.
"It's a very Christian practice. You stand proud in front of a captain and you promise to love each other and commit to each other and when you say unkind words you have to talk to one another and keep it very private and very intimate."
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Their families didn't attend the event - held in Cyprus - as they had prior commitments, but thankfully are able to look at the photos in this week's OK! Magazine.
However, despite Stevi and Chloe's non-legal commitment ceremony and their united front on the This Morning sofa, viewers weren't convinced.
One tweeted: ";Chloe Jasmine and Stevi Ritchie are the most deluded cringe couple EVER."
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