Gemma Collins has reportedly begun dating millionaire Essex restaurant owner Nadir Gul in the last month.

The 39-year-old split with on-off boyfriend and former TOWIE co-star James Argent earlier this summer, leaking a series of WhatsApp messages in which he appeared to brand her a "hippo" and a "FAT F*CK".

According to The Sun, Gul approached Collins when he visited one of her restaurants recently and the pair have since started dating.

"Gemma's had a really tough time since her split with Arg but Nadir, who owns a pair of restaurants in Essex, has put a massive smile on her face," a friend told the newspaper.

"He has asked her out on a date and seems smitten with her. The GC has been telling people Nadir is her dream man and said she finds him drop-dead gorgeous.

"It's still early days for them but her friends are just pleased to see her happy and smiling again. Gemma is an independent woman but she has longed to find the right man and settle down properly."

The GC is currently filming a new series of her ITVBe reality show, now called Gemma Collins: Diva Forever & Ever.