"She has really fallen for him": Tulisa Contostavlos is dating Shameless actor Jody Latham

"She has really fallen for him": Tulisa Contostavlos is dating Shameless actor Jody Latham

Tulisa Contostavlos has fallen for former Shameless and EastEnders actor Jody Latham â€" as our exclusive pictures show.

Jody, 29, hurried to caress the X Factor judge’s hand as they headed back to her place after a party last week â€" at least their THIRD night together.

The pair met less than three weeks ago when they filmed steamy scenes for the video of Tulisa’s new single Sight of You.

But now they are snogging for real â€" and we can reveal that Tulisa, 24, has already told friends she has started calling Jody her boyfriend.

They hit it off so well during the video that the N-Dubz singer made a secret visit to see Jody while he was filming in Scotland.

And on Wednesday the actor flew down to join her at her London home.

Shop: The pair hunt for clothes

 

At 6pm the couple shopped for togs for X Factor contestant Rylan Clark’s 24th ­birthday party.

By 3am on Thursday they were hurrying back to Tulisa’s apartment.

A close friend of the star said: “Tulisa has not had much luck with boyfriends of late but she has really fallen for Jody.

“She didn’t really know him before he was booked for her music video but because they had to get intimate in a number of scenes, they realised they quite like each other.

“Things have moved quite fast by Tulisa is already calling Jody her man.”

But Tulisa, who earns a reported £500,000-a-year for her role on the hit ITV1 show, may surprise colleagues with her choice of new man.

Jody Latham in 'Shameless'

 

Jody, who played “Lip” Gallagher in Channel 4’s Shameless and Rob Grayson in BBC1’s EastEnders, is to appear in court next month on charges of producing cannabis. He is accused of growing plants with a value of about £14,000 at a property in Bacup, Lancs, in May last year.

He denied the charges at Burnley Magistrates’ Court nine days ago and was committed for trial at Burnley Crown Court next month.

Jody first met Tulisa when he was booked to feature as her on-scene boyfriend in her new music video filmed in an empty tower block in Kensington, West London on October 9.

Acting: The couple in Tulisa's new video

 

In the four-minute video â€" released last week â€" Tulisa writhes around on a bed and kisses Jody as they gaze into each other’s eyes.

The pair exchanged phone numbers after filming and the following week Tulisa flew up to Glasgow, where Jody was filming. She flew home two days later.

On Monday, Tulisa lavishly praised Jody on Twitter, writing: “Who likes me new vid starring @JodyOfficial? What a top lad, make sure u give him a follow x”

Just minutes later, Jody wrote back saying: “@officialtulisa really please with how it turned out..! Was great working with u? All the best with the single album.”

On Wednesday, it was Jody’s time to visit Tulisa â€" breaking from filming to visit her at the North London apartment she shares with PA Gareth Varley.

That evening the pair visited a fancy dress shop before heading out to the birthday party at swanky London nightspot Mahiki.

Once again, Tulisa name-checked Jody on Twitter, writing: “On my way2 @RylanClark’s birthday party+celebrating the release of sight of you video.fancy dress! @garethvarey @Jodyofficial.”

Tulisa, wearing a black Hallowe’en costume, was joined by fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger, 33, in similar vampire gear.

Wait for me, baby: Jody caresses Tulisa's hand as they rush back home

 

At around 3am Tulisa left with Jody close in tow.

Our revelation will end speculation about the identity of Tulisa’s new man.

In a newspaper interview earlier this month she hinted that she may be dating.

She said: “You don’t go out and date, you hide in a house and watch DVDs. That’s the secret. I may be dating and I’m enjoying it.

“Someone might just come into your life randomly and you’re like, ‘Oh wow, there you go. Good timing’.”

In June last year, the singer split from actor Jack O’Connell, 22, who starred in E4 teen drama Skins, after a four-month relationship.

The pair broke up while Tulisa was visiting Jack in Bulgaria, where he was shooting the sequel of the battle movie 300.

Shortly after their split, Tulisa tweeted: “4 the record I didn’t dump any1, it was a mutual decision with no hard feelings n that’s all there is 2 it.”

Earlier this month, she was spotted renting DVDs with her ex-boyfriend, club manager Adam Bailey, 27.

But she insisted they are just “good friends”.