Sinitta has disclosed that she has been quietly involved in a romantic relationship for the past two years, and has now shared the reasoning behind her decision to keep it private. The 62-year-old singer made the revelation during her appearance on Monday's episode of Loose Women, where she also discussed her experiences on I'm A Celebrity: South Africa.
During the show, Sinitta opened up about how she has applied skills learned in the jungle to her everyday life, and introduced her partner, whom she referred to as her 'Leeds lad'. She explained that she had chosen not to go public with the relationship until now.
Sinitta had previously spoken about her relationship with former partner Simon Cowell during her time on I'm A Celebrity, confessing that they eventually split because she became too 'needy and possessive'. When host Charlene White asked, 'Is that where the new man comes in to play?', Sinitta replied, 'Might be it too. He's much more afraid than I am.'
Continuing, the pop icon admitted that she and her partner have been together for a couple of years. Sinitta elaborated: 'When I knew I was doing the jungle, we kind of stepped back a bit because he's not in show business. I don't think he wants to be in show business and you know I was doing something so high profile. He would be fine, you know he's silly, he's got the best, worst, bad dad jokes and everything. He's a character, he's a funny guy, a Leeds lad. So he's got a lot of personality but he's just not used to the industry.'
Furthermore, Sinitta addressed whether it was her decision or his to remain away from the spotlight. She explained: 'I wanted to protect him… and not just put him under that pressure but he'll actually be fine, I found my little Harry Redknapp.'
For many years, Sinitta had an on-off relationship with Simon Cowell, which later evolved into an enduring friendship. During her time on I'm A Celebrity... South Africa, Sinitta reflected on the pair's relationship, confessing she 'genuinely believed they were going to get married.' She elaborated: 'He wasn't a faithful boyfriend. He won't mind me saying it, because he knows, and I was very possessive. I feel like Simon loves me and cares about me, but it's just… I think I romanticise everything,' she added. 'And then you see him with his partner and his baby, well, he's a big boy now, and it's like, wow, okay, everyone really does have their proper person. I was the right person for a time, but they've just got this whole level that we didn't have.'
While Sinitta and Simon are still good friends, the star previously admitted her marriage to ex-husband Andy Willner was a 'revenge move' after their split. She told the Suddenly Single podcast: 'I was trying to make that relationship it. His narrative was just be patient, and you'll have everything you want. I assumed everything I wanted meant a normal family life with him. And then he met the love of his life and had a child. Silly me. The man that I married was actually a lovely person. It was a bit of a revenge move at the time, but it developed into something. But even during that relationship, it was obvious that there was unfinished business [with Simon].'
