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Chris Hughes has defended the age gap between himself and JoJo Siwa as he hit back at a troll who called their friendship ‘inappropriate’.
The Love Islander, 32, and Dance Moms star, 21, raised eyebrows with their very close bond in the Celebrity Big Brother house.
Upon leaving the ITV reality show, the pair spent the weekend enjoying ‘Sunday massages’ and walks in the park – after JoJo dumped partner Kath Ebbs, 28, at the CBB wrap party.
Chris and JoJo also enjoyed a game of tennis together, with the dancer taking to Instagram to share snaps from their day out.
However, the duo have been hit with criticism over their friendship and one commenter quipped: ‘Damn this is inappropriate’.
Hitting back, Chris explained: ‘I have friends who are 50+ too, you weirdo.’
JoJo jetted home to the US on Monday, reportedly wearing Chris’ ‘clothes’ as she left him ‘heartbroken’ just hours after their first joint interview following Celebrity Big Brother.
According to The Sun she was spotted arriving at the airport in a oversized grey hoodie and pink beanie hat, both of which Chris wore on the show.
During their appearance on This Morning earlier in the day, JoJo confirmed she’d be leaving the UK despite previously hinting at her desire to stay.
‘I leave tonight, well today I leave in an hour’ she said mournfully, to which Chris replied: ‘Sad times’ and branded the news ‘heartbreak hotel’.
Earlier in the interview the pair confirmed their relationship as a ‘platonic soul mate frienship’ following weeks of speculation.
He said: ‘Our friendship is, it’s hard to explain. It’s just a really strong bond. A strong friendship. You can have a soul mate friendship. I think that’s a thing.’
Host Ben Shephard asked if she wanted anything more, to which JoJo said: ‘Look, he’s a great guy. It’s platonic. We have a lot of fun together. I don’t know the future, whatever life does, it will do.’
JoJo also revealed more details about her split from former partner Kath, saying: ‘Honestly when I went into the house, day one was fun, day two fun, but then day three I was in my own thoughts, away from everyone I know and outside opinions.
‘I sat with myself and really realised things I was okay with in my life I never should have been okay with. So many things.
‘Obviously I wanted to hold them inside, didn’t want to air it out publicly. There were things I knew I shouldn’t be okay with and I’m not happy.
‘I knew as soon as I got out I wanted to fix things and make the changes I needed to make.
‘The first thing you want to do is exactly what you need to make it as good as you can.’
Recounting how the pair ended things at the show’s wrap party, she elaborated: ‘I’ll be honest, that was not a plan or my intention. It wasn’t supposed to happen like that’.
‘They weren’t going to come, then an hour into the party they attended, one thing lead to another, they asked if I was happy and I said no. The conversation took place there.’
After touching down in Los Angeles, JoJo looked in great spirits as she as seen beaming besides her mum as she wheeled her suitcases while wearing the pink beanie hat and shades.
However while the singer couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she made her way through the airport, JoJo later confessed she was left in tears after returning home as she reflected on her ‘amazing’ experience on the ITV reality show.
Sharing a video compilation of her best bits in the Big Brother house, the star took to Instagram with a very emotional message.
She began: ‘Quite emotional today as I’ve landed back in LA, saying goodbye to the U.K., and one of my favorite things that I’ve ever done in my life.
‘The last 20 days I’ve faced some of the highest highs and lowest lows and it’s so crazy to think that all of them were public, but it’s honestly quite a beautiful thing.’
She continued in her Instagram caption: ‘So very grateful for the love and support I received from you while I was in the house.
‘Being so vulnerable and not know what the world will do or say was scary, but coming out of the house and seeing the absolute outpour of love and support that happened while I was in there was just wild and made me cry with tears of happiness.
‘It makes me very emotional and just means so much. Thank you❤️’
She added: ‘I’ve learned so much about my self in the Big Brother House and wouldn’t change a thing about the journey. I wish I could go back in time and live it over and over again.’
Paying tribute to her housemates she penned: ‘To my perfectly dysfunctional functional family from inside the house…. Gosh do I love you guys.
‘Thank you for becoming family, for all the good cooking, all the good chats, every laugh, every dance step, every hug, every cry, everything.
‘This wouldn’t have been the same with any other people, so happy to have you all in my life forever now.’
‘Special shout to Christopher, Jack, Donna, Chesatron, and Danny… my sweetest fellow finalists, getting to know you all the most, I’m gonna miss the absolute ship out of you.
‘I’d cry to hear one more time “STOP IT” from Donna, one more Rat song from Jack, one more hug from chesatron, one more song from Danny, and one more “mmmm” from Chris.
‘When it was the six of us it really felt like a home, I’ll never forget the people you are and how much I love you guys.’
Coming to an emotional conclusion she finished: ‘Been crying while trying to write this message so I’m gonna end it now, but truly an absolutely amazing time that I have nothing but the most love and gratitude for. Thank you again. Love Joelle’.
JoJo and Chris have since insisted their relationship is platonic after sparking speculation with their close relationship in the house.
