Former MAFS UK star JJ Slater speaks out on his relationship with Katie Price for the first time as he addresses age gap

Former Married at First Sight UK groom JJ Slater has spoken out about his romance with Katie Price.

JJ, who's 31 and mum-of-five Katie, 45, struck up a relationship after the former glamour model reached out to the reality star following his diabetes diagnosis.

The pair ended up meeting for coffee, and the rest, as they say, is history.

But it wasn't the first time they had been in touch with one another.

The pair have been dating for five months (Instagram/@katieprice)

JJ revealed that he actually slid into Katie's DMs some time ago - although he didn't get a message back.

"It wasn't something I was looking for... I had been on Married At First Sight UK, which was a stressful and intense experience but with Kate and I... it just happened super naturally," JJ told MailOnline.

"We met for coffee and met as friends, and we got on really well as friends and it developed from there, which was really nice.

"There was no pressure, we both just really fancied and liked each other.

"Kate actually reached out when she heard about my diabetes diagnosis saying she was really sorry to hear this and again, this is how something good has come from it... is Kate. She was being kind, which I appreciated and then it went from there…

JJ says he sees a future with Katie (Instagram/@johnjoeslater)

"Of course, she is obviously a very, very attractive lady and I do fancy her, she's my girlfriend now… but I have always thought she was fit."

JJ also said that he sees a future with Katie and said it would have been 'ideal' if she had met him at the altar during the reality show.

"It would have been ideal on Married At First Sight if I was at the altar and I turned around and it was Kate walking down. It would have saved a lot of time," he said.

"We have said the L word. The thing is we get on so well and have so much fun together.

JJ started a relationship with Ella Morgan on the show (Channel 4)

"We are both adults and I wouldn't be with someone if I didn't see a future with them. So, that's how I see it... we aren't together to waste each other's time... we are adults so of course, I see a future with her."

And JJ isn't bothered about their 14-year age gap either, explaining it's 'just a number' to them.

While Katie has been married three times - to Peter Andre, Kieran Hayler and Alex Reid - she's also mum to five children - Harvey, 21, Junior, 18, Princess, 16, Jett, 10 and Bunny, nine.

Meanwhile, JJ married Bianca Petronzi on the reality show before starting a relationship with another bride, Ella Morgan.