Natalya Platanova, the winner of The Circle, has claimed that James Arthur sent her flirty messages as he asked if she was “still taken” – despite reportedly rekindling his romance with Jessica Grist.
James, 34, and dancer Jessica called time on their nine-year on-off romance in 2021, before confirming their relationship was back on earlier this year.
However Natalya, who appeared on the Channel 4 reality show in 2021, took to Instagram to share a screenshot of the flirty messages the X Factor winner sent her.
In the screenshot, the Say You Won’t Let Go singer said: “Wish we could go on a date,” before asking: “Hey, still taken?”
(Image: Ch4)
A source told The Sun: “Natalya was flattered by James’ interest in her but hasn’t tried to pursue a relationship, as she is already in one and focused on training and mental health campaigning, which she is passionate about.”
Alongside the screenshot, the military police officer penned: “Yup, can we feature as the next cute couple in a music vid?”
James started dating Jessica back in 2012 when she worked as a backing dancer on his series of The X Factor.
(Image: INSTAGRAM)
The couple confirmed their split last July, however, sparked reconciliation rumours earlier this year after Jessica posted a picture of the two on her Instagram.
Natalya was crowned winner of The Circle last year after she successfully catfished her rivals pretending to be a soldier named Felix.
Speaking about her win at the time, Natalya admitted her ability to impersonate a man had been one of the main contributors to her success.
(Image: INSTAGRAM)
She quipped: “I must play a good man!”
Natalya also explained why she had decided to come into The Circle as a catfish, claiming her rivals would be more likely to fall for the “perfect man”.
“If I was me, I would have been gone. I had to be the perfect man. What I see every day at work is what I created,” she said.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
