EastEnders star Max Bowden reportedly enjoyed a secret tryst in his dressing room with Love Island’s Olivia Hawkins before her stay at the South African villa.
The actor, 28, and former ring girl, 27 – who once appeared as an extra in the BBC soap – is said to have taken some ‘alone time together’ at a set party at Elstree Studios last summer.
Their racy liaison was reportedly the “talk of the set,” with an insider claiming the pair were “away for a while.”
In January, it was reported that Max, who plays Ben Mitchell, had been flirting with the brunette stunner online, liking a sexy social media snap of her.
However, it turns out the two already knew each other after their alleged meeting at the EastEnders bash, saying it was clear they were ‘more than friends’.
Ooh I say: EastEnders star Max Bowden reportedly enjoyed a secret tryst in his dressing room with Love Island’s Olivia Hawkins, ahead of her stint in the South African villa
Flirt: The actor, 28, and former ring girl, 27 – who once appeared as an extra in the BBC soap – is said to have taken some ‘alone time together’ at a set party at Elstree Studios last summer
A source told The sun: ‘It soon became clear that Max was seducing her. It was clear that they were more than just friends.
“They were clearly into each other. During the party, they snuck off to spend some alone time together. They went to his dressing room and were gone for a while.
Max confided in a few other stars about what had happened. It was the talk of the set, especially after it later transpired that Olivia was going to be on Love Island.”
The insider added that the actor was “concerned” that Olivia – who had recently been dumped from the Love Island villa – might “disclose” their secret fling on TV.
MailOnline has reached out to representatives for Max and Olivia for comment.
Olivia’s brief EastEnders TV moment came in January, where she coquettishly looked over her shoulder at another cast member.
Their online flings were previously reported in January, with Max appearing to notice Olivia’s sizzling Instagram on New Year’s Day when he liked a photo of her in a sassy tight dress.
The actor is known for his relationship drama both off and on screen.
Liaison: Their racy liaison was reportedly the ‘talk of the set’, with an insider claiming the pair were ‘away for a while’
Role: Olivia’s brief EastEnders TV moment came in January, where she coquettishly looked over her shoulder at another cast member
Max recently split from co-star Shona McGarty and became a father to another ex, Roisin Buckle, last year as they share a baby boy.
The EastEnders star started following Olivia when she returned the favor, with sources saying she’s “clearly into him.”
A source told The sun at the time: “Max and Olivia have been exchanging exchanges and keeping tabs on each other.
“She is very impressed that Max showed such a great interest in her and has enthusiastically told all her friends about it.
She clearly likes him. They have grown together.’
Sizzling: Their online flirting was previously reported in January, with Max appearing to notice Olivia’s sizzling Instagram on New Year’s Day when he liked a photo of her in a sassy skintight dress
Interested: ‘The EastEnders star started following Olivia when she returned the favor, with sources saying she ‘clearly likes him’
It comes as Olivia broke her silence when she told fans the ‘real journey begins now’ as she landed back in the UK from Mallorca.
Returning to Brighton, the reality star, 27, came home with a pink and white balloon from her family with the sweet message ‘So proud of you’ on it.
The reality star shared a photo of it with her 173,000 followers on Instagram, writing:
‘Safe at home! Thank you all for your lovely messages of support while I was at the villa, so good to be reunited with friends and family. Lots of love, Olivia.”
The former backup dancer also uploaded a picture of a postcard she received from the flight crew.
Home: It comes as Olivia broke her silence as she told fans the ‘real journey begins now’ as she landed back in the UK from Mallorca
So sweet: Liv returned to Brighton and came home to a pink and white balloon from her family with the sweet message ‘So proud of you’ printed on it
Working on it: After being dumped from the villa, the Love Island contestant told her Instagram followers that the ‘real journey begins now’
The handwritten note read: “Hello lovebirds, so glad you are on board today.
‘We hope you enjoyed your adventures in South Africa.
“We wish you all the best and love for the future.”
Acknowledging that her new relationship had just begun, Olivia wrote the story, “Thanks to the KML crew for making our journey home so special, but the real journey begins now Maxwell.” She ended the post with a heart hands emoji.
After being voted the least compatible couple by the public, Olivia and Maxwell were dumped from the ITV2 show on Wednesday night.