Glamour model Lucy Pinder has confirmed her relationship with Southampton manager Russell Martin.
The 40-year-old went public with their romance when she shared a loved-up photo with the 38-year-old Premier League manager on Instagram on Thursday evening.
The pair were dressed up when Russell received an honorary doctorate from the University of Brighton earlier this week.
Lucy was by his side as the manager accepted the award in recognition of his work in improving the lives of young people in Brighton & Hove.
Lucy, a big Southampton FC fan, looked demure in a black, figure-hugging dress, paired with sunglasses and a brown shoulder bag, while Russell opted for a grey suit.
Glamour model Lucy Pinder has confirmed her relationship with Southampton manager Russell Martin
Lucy rose to fame as a glamour model for men’s magazines and also starred for a time in Celebrity Big Brother
Lucy is now an actress and podcaster and keeps fans updated on her life on Instagram
The couple posed with their arms around each other on the beach and Lucy added a smiley face emoji to the photo.
An emotional Lucy also shared a snap of herself hugging her friend Claire West, who also graduated, along with a tear-filled emoji.
Upon receiving his diploma, Russell told the BBC: “I’m incredibly grateful and it’s a real honour. I still live in Brighton and my children go to school here, so I’m delighted.
‘I’ve come full circle playing amateur football in Sussex, so it feels like I’ve come full circle.
‘I’m looking forward to a trip to the Amex to play Brighton this season, even though I might get some abuse for being in the away team. I hope it goes better than when I lost 5-0 there!’
According to The sunThe couple have become closer in recent months and are completely ‘in love’ with each other.
They were also reportedly seen at a Sky Sports event.
A source said: ‘They are a match made in heaven – or at least in Southampton. They are crazy about each other.’
Russell was awarded the degree in recognition of his work to improve the lives of young people in Brighton & Hove
An emotional Lucy also shared a photo of herself hugging her friend Claire West, who also graduated, alongside a tear-filled emoji
The 38-year-old Premier League manager is said to be ‘crazy’ about Lucy, 40, who is a huge fan of Southampton FC
Russell is reportedly coming to terms with the end of his marriage to his wife Jasmine, with whom he has three children.
Russell is reportedly coping with the end of his marriage to his wife Jasmine, with whom he has three children.
He previously called fitness model Jasmine a ‘super mother’: ‘That she has achieved this with three little ones is amazing.’
The couple split last year, with insiders saying there were no similarities with his new relationship with Lucy.
The source said: “There was no crossover. Russ’s marriage was on the rocks and he was depressed. It was all about taking care of the kids and making sure they were okay.”
‘But despite the grief, as he threw himself into his work, Russ became increasingly intimate with Lucy.’
The insider added that Lucy, as a die-hard fan, regularly attends Southampton events and that she and Russell have grown close over time.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Lucy for comment.
Russell previously played for Norwich City and later for Rangers, Walsall and Milton Keynes Dons.
Lucy, originally from Hampshire, began her career after being scouted on Bournemouth beach by a freelance photographer.
She rose to fame as a Page Three girl, appearing regularly in men’s magazines such as Nuts and Loaded.
In 2009, she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother with Ulrika Jonsson and Latoya Jackson, where she was the first housemate to be evicted.
The brunette also had a small role in the 2017 American film Sharknado 5: Global Swarming.