The Block’s Ricky Recard spotted with new love Erin Lee in public for first time after dumping girlfriend Lauren Smith for the married makeup artist he met while filming the show

The Block’s heartthrob Ricky Recard has been seen out in public with new love Erin Lee for the first time. 

The 34-year-old plumber was branded a love rat by his jilted ex, Lauren Smith, after he dumped her on the eve of their dream trip overseas to hook up with a married make-up artist he met while filming the show.

The pair appeared not to have a care in the world as they headed out for a shopping trip in Seaford, Victoria – the area where Ricky lives. 

Erin walked ahead of her boyfriend, carrying what appeared to be a bottle of alcohol and a mixer. 

Ricky meanwhile had a case of drinks slung over his arm, and later also carried a shopping bag full of groceries. 

He dressed down on a comical black tank top with lettering that read ‘shut up and fish’. 

The reality star added a pair of bright watermelon shorts and neon green socks with novelty fish themed slides. 

He completed his look with a dark cap and appeared relaxed as he made trips to the car to load it with shopping. 

The Block’s heartthrob Ricky Recard has been seen out in public with new love Erin Lee for the first time. Both pictured

The 34-year-old plumber was branded a love rat by his jilted ex, Lauren Smith, after he dumped her on the eve of their dream trip overseas to hook up with a married make-up artist he met while filming the show

The pair appeared not to have a care in the world as they headed out for a shopping trip in Seaford, Victoria – the area where Ricky lives

Makeup artist Erin opted for an olive green cropped shit that put her toned stomach on display. 

She added a pair of light grey track pants and white sneakers, as well as a smattering of accessories. 

It’s the first time the couple have been seen on a public outing since the 34-year-old plumber broke up with ex Lauren. 

She had waited three months at home for him while he filmed the new series of Nine’s reno show on Phillip Island.

Erin walked ahead of her boyfriend, carrying what appeared to be a bottle of alcohol and a mixer

Ricky meanwhile had a case of drinks slung over his arm, and later also carried a shopping bag full of groceries

He dressed down on a comical black tank top with lettering that read ‘shut up and fish’

The reality star added a pair of bright watermelon shorts and neon green socks with novelty fish themed slides

He completed his look with a dark cap and appeared relaxed as he made trips to the car to load it with shopping

on display. She added a pair of light grey track pants and white sneakers, as well as a smattering of accessories

Just days after the split, he revealed he was now dating married mother-of-two Erin who had broken up with her heartbroken husband to be with the show’s star.

To add insult to injury, Recard jetted straight off on holiday with his new lover, leaving Lauren to go on their romantic getaway to Mexico for her 30th by herself. 

‘I was absolutely blindsided,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.

‘I spent three months looking after his dogs and his house while also helping his employee with the business.’

It’s the first time the couple have been seen on a public outing since the 34-year-old plumber broke up with ex Lauren (pictured) 

She had waited three months at home for him while he filmed the new series of Nine’s reno show on Phillip Island

Just days after the split, he revealed he was now dating married mother-of-two Erin who had broken up with her heartbroken husband to be with the show’s star

To add insult to injury, Recard jetted straight off on holiday with his new lover, leaving Lauren to go on their romantic getaway to Mexico for her 30th by herself

‘I was absolutely blindsided,’ she told Daily Mail Australia

‘I spent three months looking after his dogs and his house while also helping his employee with the business’ she added

Smith said the couple had an overseas holiday arranged to celebrate her milestone birthday, which would have been the first trip away from her young daughter

 ‘We were due to go at the beginning of July for my 30th birthday but we broke up about two weeks after he got back from filming,’ she said

Smith said the couple had an overseas holiday arranged to celebrate her milestone birthday, which would have been the first trip away from her young daughter.

‘We were due to go at the beginning of July for my 30th birthday but we broke up about two weeks after he got back from filming,’ she said.

‘I found out while I was in Mexico that he had apparently begun a relationship with Erin during the time I was away.’

Recard, from Melbourne, has proudly boasted of his budding relationship with 40-year-old Erin on social media.

‘I found out while I was in Mexico that he had apparently begun a relationship with Erin during the time I was away’ she added

Recard, from Melbourne, has proudly boasted of his budding relationship with 40-year-old Erin on social media

The couple flew to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland last month and ‘hard launched’ their relationship on his private Instagram page

He posted an image of the couple together with the caption: ‘Beach time with this stunner’

Team mate Haydn Wise and Wife Chelsea (pictured) were later seen visiting Ricky’s house

Ricky and Erin appeared to be having a gathering at Ricky’s home 

The couple flew to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland last month and ‘hard launched’ their relationship on his private Instagram page.

He posted an image of the couple together with the caption: ‘Beach time with this stunner.’

On Thursday, Lee also shared an image of her with Recard, with the message: ‘Sometimes the path we never planned leads us to brighter things and the happiness we always needed. 

‘Trust the journey.’

Recard and his new love enjoyed a getaway to Port Douglas together last month

Lee’s estranged husband Lucas Day – who is a lookalike for love rival Recard – insists his wife only hooked up with the Block tradie after their marriage ended

‘We are separated now and I’ve dealt with it,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.

‘They got together after we split when he got back from Mexico in July and we were done then.’

Day also agreed he bears a striking resemblance to Lee’s new lover, calling the similarity between the pair as ‘strange’.

‘It is a bit strange, it definitely is,’ he said.

Ricky, left, has made an impression with female fans after joining The Block alongside his best mate Haydn Wise (pictured) on the Yellow Team

In a recent interview with New Idea, Recard confirmed his new lover, but didn’t identify her.

Bizarrely though, despite her working as a make-up artist on The Block, he claimed she not know of his role on the show.

‘I can definitely say she was impressed, and why wouldn’t she be?’ he said.

‘The reason why she was impressed was not because I’m on The Block. She thinks it’s pretty funny. 

‘She didn’t know I was on The Block when we started seeing each other.’

Lauren shared a gushing post about her now ex on Instagram

He even claimed she poked fun at him and joked she was now dating ‘someone famous’.

Recard also responded to viewers who have called him the heartthrob on this year’s hotly-anticipated 20th anniversary series.

He has won female fans, with many viewers naming him their all-time celebrity crush as they swooned over his rugged looks.

Fans have also been left charmed by his positive attitude and cheeky sense of humour, taking to social media to claim Ricky’s Yellow Team as their favourites.

The plumber laughed off being called a celebrity crush as he insisted he is not famous enough to be given the label.

‘I don’t know if I consider myself a celebrity, seriously,’ he told Yahoo Lifestyle. 

‘I think as a celebrity, you’ve got to have a fair resume, right? Like Shelley [Craft], she’s got The List – Saturday Disney for years, Funniest Home Videos, The Block.

‘She’s an Australian icon and I’m just an absolute nobody. But if people want to have a crush on me, that’s cool. I appreciate the love.’

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Recard and Nine Network for comment. 

Lee also shared an image of her with Recard, with the message: ‘Sometimes the path we never planned leads us to brighter things and the happiness we always needed. ‘Trust the journey’