‘Love you to the moon and back’: Gogglebox star Lee Riley bids an emotional farewell to boyfriend of 26 years in Cyprus as he jets home to film new series
He jetted to Cyprus to reunite with his boyfriend after being separated from amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
And Gogglebox star Lee Riley bade an emotional farewell to his partner Steve Mail as he flew back to the UK on Monday to film the new series.
The TV sensation, 51, looked sunkissed and happy as he posed with his boyfriend of 26 years in front of a hotel pool.
True love: Gogglebox star Lee Riley bade an emotional farewell to his partner Steve Mail as he flew back to the UK on Monday to film the new series
A smitten Steve captioned the snap: ‘Never tire of this peaceful and chilled idyllic hideaway thanks for a fabulous time Lee Riley safe journey back to Blighty.
‘Love you to the moon and back #vounikinghotelandrestaurant #cyprus2020 #gogglebox #series16.’
The pair have been together for the last month after COVID-19 travel restrictions forced them to stay apart for six months.
Steve lives in Cyprus, while Lee resides in a mobile home in Hull.
Reunion: The pair have been together for the last month after COVID-19 travel restrictions forced them to stay apart for six months
Long-distance: Steve lives in Cyprus, while Lee resides in a mobile home in Hull and appears on Gogglebox with his best friend Jenny Newby (above)
Lee is known for his hilarious moments with BFF Jenny Newby on Gogglebox, with the pair filming from her Hull caravan.
At the start of lockdown, Lee and his on-screen TV-watcher Jenny delighted fans with a throwback snap from 16 years ago.
The best friends – who appear on Gogglebox as they critique the week’s TV from Lee’s Yorkshire caravan – are seen in the throwback during a cruise in 2004.
The pair look very different in the snap – with both Jenny and Lee sporting dark brunette locks (these days they’ve got a few more greys) as they laugh jollily in the photo.
The photo looks a little like they’re at a wedding – with Jenny clutching a bouquet of posies.
Long-distance love: Steve lives in Cyprus, while Lee resides in a mobile home in Hull
Lee was sure to inform fans that this was not a photo of them tying the knot.
‘Old photo 16 years ago of me and Jenny on a cruise taking the p**s and no before you ask we didn’t get married!’ Lee captioned the snap.
This is the second throwback they have shared since joining Instagram in March.
Another was posted on April 9, in which the pair look even younger.
The old pals were staying together at Lee’s caravan during the coronavirus lockdown, with Jenny moving out again when Gogglebox wrapped its most recent series in May.
Back in the day: At the start of lockdown, Lee and his on-screen TV-watcher Jenny delighted fans with a throwback snap from 16 years ago
Old pals: The best friends – who appear on the series as they critique the week’s TV from Lee’s caravan in Hull – are seen in the throwback during a cruise in 2004