Lewis Burton has liked a slew of Lottie Tomlinson’s bikini-clad Instagram photos after it emerged the pair had ‘grown close’ over the past two months.
The tennis coach, 28, has been showing his appreciation to Lottie, 21, who has posted a number of racy swimwear shots after jetting to Mykonos earlier this week.
It comes after photos exclusively obtained by MailOnline showed Lewis arriving at his flat with Lottie, last Friday after a source revealed the pair had recently bonded over the grief of their respective loved ones.
He’s a fan: Lewis Burton has liked a slew of Lottie Tomlinson’s bikini-clad Instagram photos after it emerged the pair had ‘grown close’ over the past two months
One photo Lewis liked showed Lottie in a white cut-out bikini, while in another post the sister of 1D star Louis posed in a black thong two-piece.
The pair are said to have grown close in recent weeks and Lewis has showed his support by hitting the like button on some of her Instagram snaps.
Lewis was left devastated when his girlfriend Caroline Flack took her own life in February aged 40, ahead of an impending domestic assault court case.
Admiration: The tennis coach, 28, has been showing his appreciation to Lottie, 21, who has posted a number of racy swimwear shots after jetting to Mykonos (pictured in April)
Lottie has also had to deal with losing her loved ones. Her sister Félicité, 18, died after an accidental drug overdose, three years after the death of her mother Johannah.
Lewis’ social media activity comes after he took to Instagram on Saturday where he posted a lengthy caption alongside an image of him in a smart suit saying you should ‘treasure every moment’.
In the post Lewis shared a quote from Alfred D. Souza that said: ‘For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life.
Racy display: One showed Lottie in a white cut-out bikini while in another post, the sister of 1D star Louis posed in a black thong two-piece
Stunning: The pair are said to have grown close in recent weeks and Lewis has showed his support to Lottie by hitting the like button on some of her Instagram snaps
‘But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.’
Lewis then penned: ‘This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
‘So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time…and remember that time waits for no one.
Opening up: The tennis coach took to Instagram on Saturday where he posted a lengthy caption alongside an image of him in a smart suit saying you should ‘treasure every moment’
‘So, stop waiting until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning…
‘Until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until winter, until your song comes on, until you’ve had a drink…. there is no better time than right now to be happy.
‘Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don’t need money, Love like you’ve never been hurt, And dance like no one’s watching.’
Lottie, who’s the sister of One Direction singer Louis, 28, became better acquainted with Lewis at a house party in May hosted by Caroline’s close friend Lou Teasdale, 36, which was held to mark three months since her tragic passing.
A source exclusively told MailOnline: ‘Lewis and Lottie have grown close after spending time together at a party at Lou’s house.
‘They have been meeting up in secret for weeks but their newfound friendship hasn’t gone unnoticed by mutual pals.
‘Not all of Caroline’s friends are happy with how the situation appears to be developing but can understand that both Lottie and Lewis have been there for each other as a shoulder to cry on.
‘Lewis spent last week in Marbella while Lottie was in St Tropez the weekend previous, they couldn’t wait to be reunited with each other on Friday.’
Tragic: Caroline tragically took her own life in February aged 40 (Lewis pictured with Caroline in 2019)
A representative for Lottie Tomlinson declined to comment at the time.
Caroline joined The X Factor team in 2011; the year after Lottie’s brother Louis found fame with One Direction.
Over the years, Caroline and Lottie stayed as friends by socialising together at industry events and parties.
Caroline died by suicide at her London home, days before she was due to face trial for assaulting Lewis, who she had been in a relationship with for just over six months.
Tragic: Lottie has also dealt with loss. She and her pop heartthrob brother Louis Tomlinson, 28, lost their mother Johannah Deakin aged 43 to leukaemia in 2016. Pictured in 2015
The TV presenter was arrested in December for assault and charged with attacking the model at her home in Islington.
Lewis dropped his assault complaint against Caroline but prosecutors pursued it and the couple was told not to have any contact.
The CPS have since been blamed by the public and Caroline’s management for being a trigger for the Love Island host taking her own life.
An inquest into Caroline’s death will be held on August 5 with a hearing at Poplar Coroner’s Court in London and her family will be able to attend via video link.
Untimely: Their younger sister Félicité, 18, died last year following an accidental drug overdose