Maisie Smith is growing close to Love Island’s Joe Garratt after quitting EastEnders

EASTENDERS star Maisie Smith is growing close to Love Island star Joe Garratt after quitting the soap.

The actress and reality star met a few weeks ago and have been talking ever since, reveals a source.

“It’s early days but they’ve got real chemistry,” says the friend. “He thinks she’s so fit and really funny.”

And clearly, Joe is serious about getting to know the actress - he’s even followed her mum and sister on Instagram.

Maisie, who quit her role as Tiffany Butcher earlier this year, was previously linked to soap co-star Zack Morris, who played her on-screen husband Keegan.

The Sun reported that they ‘spent the night together’ after a trip to the cinema - and were later seen on a day out with their families in Essex.

During her Strictly appearance, Maisie was also linked to pop star HRVY, but the couple ended things in March 2021 to concentrate on the competition.

Joe, who appeared on Love Island in 2019, has been single since April 2021, when he split with American model Desiree Schlotz.

The sandwich entrepreneur dated co-star Lucie Donlan after leaving the villa - before making a move on Frankie Essex during a brief Towie appearance in 2020.

Reps for Joe, 25, were unavailable for comment. Maisie’s rep has been contacted for comment.

It's been a busy time for Maisie as the 20-year-old has moved on from Albert Square to rubbing shoulders with established presenters Alison Hammond and Vernon Kay on a new Beeb show.

The Strictly favourite has landed a job on Friends Like These, a remake of the programme originally presented by Geordie duo Ant and Dec.

Each episode sees two teams of five friends competing against one another in a series of head-to-head challenges in a bid to win a holiday.

While Alison and Vernon take care of presenting on the reboot, Maisie is expected to captain a team on the show.

A source told The Sun Online: "Maisie has just filmed a pilot episode and it's unclear if it'll air but it's a great sign she's landing these kind of shows after Strictly and EastEnders.

"Everyone thought she was really great on the show - she's so naturally funny - so it'll be the first of many new jobs."