The Block heartthrob Ricky Recard has been branded a love rat by his jilted ex after he dumped her on the eve of their dream trip abroad to hook up with a married make-up artist he met on the show.
The 34-year-old plumber split from Lauren Smith after she waited for him at home for three months while he filmed the new series of Nine’s renovation show on Phillip Island.
Just days after the split, he revealed he was now dating Erin Lee, a married mother of two who had broken up with her heartbroken husband to be with the reality star.
To add insult to injury, Recard went straight on vacation with his new lover, leaving Lauren alone on her romantic getaway to Mexico to celebrate her 30th birthday.
“I was completely shocked,” she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I spent three months taking care of their dogs and their house while also helping their employee with the business.’
Ms Smith said the couple had organised a holiday abroad to celebrate her milestone birthday, which would have been the first trip away from their young daughter.
“We were scheduled to go in early July for my 30th birthday, but we broke up about two weeks after he got back from filming,” she said.
‘I found out while I was in Mexico that he had apparently started a relationship with Erin during the time I was away.’
Ricky Recard has joined forces with Erin Lee, a married mother of two
His heartbroken ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith says she was blindsided after looking after his dog and house for three months while he was busy filming The Block.
Ricky Recard, left, has made quite an impression on female fans after joining The Block alongside best friend Haydn Wise (pictured) on Team Yellow.
Melbourne native Recard has proudly boasted about his budding relationship with the 40-year-old mother of two on social media.
The couple flew to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland last month and “launched their relationship with a bang” on their private Instagram page.
He posted a picture of the couple together with the caption: ‘Beach time with this beauty.’
On Thursday, Ms Lee also shared about herself with Recard, with the message: ‘Sometimes the path we never planned leads us to brighter things and the happiness we always need.
“Trust the journey.”
Ms Lee’s ex-husband, Lucas Day, who is a double for her love rival Recard, insists his wife only took up with the Block worker after their marriage ended.
“We’re separated now and I’m over that,” she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They got together after we broke up, when he came back from Mexico in July, and then we broke up.’
Day also agreed that he bears a striking resemblance to Ms Lee’s new lover, calling the similarity between the two “uncanny”.
“It’s a little strange, it definitely is,” he said.
Lauren shared a gushing post about her now ex on Instagram
Recard and his new love enjoyed a getaway to Port Douglas together last month
Lucas Day (right) admits he bears a striking resemblance to his ex’s new lover, Recard
In a recent interview with New Idea, Recard confirmed his new lover, but did not identify her.
Biazrrely, however, despite working as a makeup artist on The Block, claimed she was unaware of his role on the show.
“I can say with certainty that she was impressed, and why wouldn’t she be?” she said.
“The reason she was impressed wasn’t because I’m on The Block. She thinks it’s really funny.
“She didn’t know I was on The Block when we started seeing each other.”
He even claimed that she teased him and joked that he was now dating “someone famous.”
Recard also responded to viewers who called him the heartthrob of this year’s highly-anticipated 20th anniversary series.
He has gained female fans, with many viewers naming him their favorite celebrity of all time as they swoon over his rugged looks.
Fans were also delighted by his positive attitude and cheeky sense of humour, taking to social media to claim that Ricky’s Yellow Team is their favourite.
The plumber laughed off being called a “celebrity crush” because he insisted he’s not famous enough to be given that label.
“I don’t know if I consider myself a celebrity, really,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle.
“I think as a celebrity you have to have a good resume, right? Like Shelley (Craft), she has The List – Saturday Disney for years, Funniest Home Videos, The Block.
“She’s an Australian icon and I’m a nobody. But if people want to fall in love with me, that’s fine. I appreciate the love.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Recard and Nine Network for comment.