The Block heartthrob Ricky Recard has responded to “love rat” allegations made by his jilted ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith.
The controversial reality star made headlines this week after it was revealed he dumped Lauren on the eve of a dream trip abroad to hook up with married makeup artist Erin Lee, whom he met while filming the reality show.
Appearing on Fifi, Fev & Nick on Tuesday, Ricky, 34, said he was shocked Lauren would air the former couple’s dirty laundry in public.
The curious admission came after host Brendan Fevola addressed the hot topic.
“Now, Ricky, you’re a little love rat,” he said. “Your ex has come out of the closet, Lozza, and labeled you a love rat. What happened, man? Did you sleep with a 40-year-old mother or something?” Brendan asked the reality star.
Ricky didn’t seem comfortable with his new nickname and replied, “Geez, love rat is a little harsh.”
After admitting that Lauren had indeed given Ricky a lukewarm rating, the star revealed he was surprised she had spoken up.
“I was quite surprised,” he said.
The Block heartthrob Ricky Recard has responded to his jilted ex Lauren Smith’s ‘love rat’ claims about Fifi, Fev and Nick. Also pictured are Ricky’s Block co-star Haydn Wise and presenter Nick Cody.
“I’m surprised that someone would go to the media to talk about this kind of thing. It’s not my style.”
Rickey added that he held no grudge against his ex and revealed that his relationship with Erin began before filming began on the latest series of The Block.
“I have nothing bad to say about her,” Ricky said.
‘I was lucky enough to meet Erin just before filming for The Block started, on one of the launch days we had there (on Phillip Island).’
“I’m surprised that someone would go to the media to talk about this kind of thing. It’s not my style,” Ricky revealed. In the photo he appears with his new girlfriend Erin Lee.
“I was lucky enough to meet Erin just before filming for The Block started, on one of the launch days we had there (on Phillip Island),” he added.
“He fell in love with the team, didn’t he?” Brendan asked, referring to the colourful retro tracksuit and matching cap Ricky was wearing.
Ricky noted that The Block presented a great opportunity for romance.
“It wasn’t the teammate, I’m not sure what he fell for, to be honest with you,” he replied.
‘The Block is apparently good for a couple of things, not just building dream homes for potential families but also having a love story there as well.’
“We are very happy,” Ricky added.
Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed that 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.’
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.
Lauren said the couple had organised a holiday abroad to celebrate her milestone birthday, which would have been the first trip away from their baby 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, from Melbourne, proudly boasts 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.
Ricky Recard, left, has made quite an impression on female fans after joining The Block alongside best friend Haydn Wise (pictured) on Team Yellow.
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.”
Erin’s ex-husband, Lucas Day (who resembles her love rival Ricky), insists that his wife only got together 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
In a recent interview with New Idea, Ricky 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.”
Ricky and his new love enjoyed a getaway to Port Douglas together last month
He even claimed that she teased him and joked that he was now dating “someone famous.”
Ricky 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 Ricky and the Nine Network for comment.
Lucas Day (right) admits he bears a striking resemblance to his ex’s new lover