GRINNING from ear to ear, Josie Gibson looked utterly smitten as she soaked up the attention from ‘the world’s hottest farrier’ at the Cheltenham Festival this week.
For a moment, she seemed to forget where she was – gazing into Sam Wolfenden’s eyes as racegoers mingled around them. Only hours before they had presented a stint live on This Morning – but I can reveal they are far more than just work colleagues.
Josie, 41, and equestrian influencer Sam, 32, have been getting to know each other after meeting almost exactly a year ago during a segment on the daytime TV show.
And as they giggled and caressed each other’s arms, it was clear just how close they have really grown.
An onlooker at the festival told me: “Josie and Sam have got incredible chemistry. They were very flirty while filming but it really went up a notch when the cameras stopped rolling.
“There was a lot of laughter and they were clearly very comfortable with each other. They didn’t leave each other’s side.”
Our snaps show former Big Brother star Josie wrapping her arms around Sam and touching hands whenever they got the chance.
They were very flirty while filming but it really went up a notch when the cameras stopped rolling.
Onlooker at Cheltenham
Sam, who boasts 1.3 million followers on Instagram and became famous in 2023 after filming content at work, looked equally as enamoured during the very flirty exchange.
I’m told Sam has really put a spring back in Josie’s step, which is noticeable in her incredible body transformation.
My source explained: “Josie and Sam kept in touch after meeting on the show and it’s fair to say she’s really embraced the horsing world.
“She’s his biggest cheerleader and really championing his career, and he completely dotes on her.
“They are being very coy about dating and whenever anyone asks them they just laugh it off.
“But they have had some very deep conversations – he knows exactly the type of man she is looking for and how important true love is to her.”
Their TV chat at Cheltenham was much smoother than the first time they met, during which Josie was left flustered by Sam’s good looks.
As they spoke to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard yesterday they seemed very much in sync.
Body transformation
This time last year, Josie even admitted to forgetting her questions for online sensation Samuel.
A lot has changed since then – Josie has lost an astonishing five stone in just three months – without using fat jabs.
The star has credited a combination of intermittent fasting, a 1970s Diet and a regular gym routine for helping her get in shape.
The 1970s Diet is a regime that sees people focus on smaller portions and more filling, less-processed foods, which were typical of 70s living. Josie learnt all about it while filming The 1970s Diet: Could It Work for You?,
The mum-of-one has always been incredibly open about her weight having slimmed from a size 20 to a size 8 in the past.
Recently she revealed she has been struggling with a secret health condition affecting her weight – lipoedema, which causes an abnormal accumulation of fat in the legs.
But it’s not just her new look which has given her a boost – after a string of disastrous relationships, Josie finally has reason to smile again.
Our insider added: “Josie has had a rough time with blokes – her number one priority is her son Reggie and a man in her life would have to slot in with that.
“It’s been a while but bubbly Josie is back.”
Ahead of turning 40, Josie mused about finding love and said: “Reg is my biggest distraction. And people… your connections and relationships are so important. They’re the things that are going to stay with you for ever.
“What is meant to be on your path, will be on your path. You could spend all day worrying, but you’re not going to get anywhere.”
She added that it would be a struggle to find time for romance, saying: “It wouldn’t be fair on them. My time is split between my career and my son, where would anyone fit in?”
Disastrous dating life
Josie welcomed her son Reggie, seven, back in September 2018 with then-boyfriend, property developer Terry Bond, 54.
The pair had been together for just over a year but called it quits four months after welcoming their first child into the world.
She revealed that Terry kicked her out of his home just before New Year’s Eve 2018 after an explosive row about shoes.
He told her to pack her bags and booted her out, meaning Josie and Reggie saw in the New Year alone in a hotel room.
Josie admitted she had been “no angel” during their relationship and “lost it” during arguments, but ultimately realised they weren’t getting anywhere as a couple.
She said at the time: “I’d never go back now. I need somewhere secure for me and Reg. I never wanted to be a single mother, obviously, but there are things you can’t let go.”
The star had previously said she tends to only fall in love once every seven or eight years.
She explained: “To be with somebody or to even kiss somebody, I’ve really got to love them.
“I’ve really got to be into them. I can’t give my energy over when I’m not completely into it.”
Josie was last linked to fellow ITV star Stephen Mulhern after they were snapped holding hands backstage at filming of Saturday Night Takeaway back in April 2024.
The pair laughed off speculation and insisted they had been pals for years.
To be with somebody or to even kiss somebody, I’ve really got to love them
Josie on romance
Prior to that people were convinced she was dating This Morning cameraman Sam Morton, based on a picture of them holding hands in Paris.
But Josie was quick to deny the workplace romance, saying: “I am not in a relationship or neither am I in love with cameraman Sam. I am not with Sam Morter. I love Sam Morter, he is my work colleague, I am like his older sister, I’m like his auntie.”
Then there was her doomed engagement in 2012 to plumber Luke Sanwo after a six-month relationship, with the pair having met at a music festival in the previous summer.
She gushed at the time: “Luke’s a keeper. It’s hard to find a guy like that – a proper gentleman.
“I think because he’s been brought up with his mum and his sister, he’s very protective over women.”
They split in 2015 and things quickly turned bitter and she furiously slammed her ex-fiancé online, claiming he owed her money and was messaging her behind his new girlfriend’s back.
Her first public romance wasn’t much smoother – she met John James Parton in the Big Brother house in 2010 and the pair fell in love in front of the British public.
They appeared in a one-off fly on the wall show following their lives together called Josie and John James: What Happened Next.
But they called it quits in March 2011 after John James cheated on her. Josie went on to say she didn’t “trust” her ex-beau and never wanted to speak to him again.
She alleged in a May 2011 interview: “He put me through so many mind games. He used to go on about my weight all the time. He would take the p**s out of my looks and make me feel ugly. He used to tell me I was thick.”
Much less is known about Sam’s love life – although he clearly has millions of adoring fans online.
But it seems his biggest is Josie… hands down.
