The Block star responds to 'love rat' allegations: 'Pretty shocked'

The Block's Ricky Recard has been a fan favourite on the show, with viewers falling in love with his cheeky and laidback vibe. However, Ricky's squeaky clean image came under fire this week when his ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith claimed that she was left 'blindsided' by the plumber, who she claims he dumped her to date a makeup artist he met on the show.

During an appearance on The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick on Tuesday morning, Ricky confirmed he is now dating mother-of-two Erin Lee and that he thought being called a "love rat" was "a bit harsh".

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"Alright, enough of the fluffy stuff," Brendon Fevola said. "Now, Ricky, you little love rat. Your ex has come out, Lozza, and she’s labelled you a love rat. What’s happened man? You’ve hooked up with a 40-year-old Mum or something?"

"Geez, love rat is a bit harsh," Ricky responded, as Fev added, "She was looking after your dog and your house while you were smooching someone else, what’s happened?"

"I was pretty shocked," Ricky said about the cheating allegations. "I’m shocked when anyone goes to the media about that sort of stuff, that’s not really my style. I don’t have anything bad to say about her. I was lucky enough to meet Erin just before filming started on The Block, on one of the launching days we had down there [in Phillip Island]."

Fev joked that Erin "fell in love with the kit" referencing his and teammate Haydn's out-there clothing.

"It wasn’t the kit mate, I’m not sure what she fell in love with, to be honest with you," Ricky said with a laugh. "The Block is apparently good for a couple of things, it’s not only building dream houses for potential families but also a love story there as well. We’re very happy."

Ricky's ex claims to be 'blindsided' after breakup

Speaking to the Daily Mail Australia about their breakup, Lauren said, "I spent three months looking after his dogs and his house while also helping his employee with the business. I was absolutely blindsided."

Lauren said the couple were meant to embark on an overseas holiday upon Ricky's return for her 30th birthday, but they broke up two weeks after he got back from filming with Lauren then finding out he was dating a married mother-of-two, Erin Lee, who worked as a makeup artist on the show.

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"I found out while I was in Mexico that he apparently begun [sic] a relationship with Erin during the time I was away," Lauren said.

However, Erin's estranged husband said Ricky and Erin got together after the couple had split. "We are separated now and I've dealt with it," he told Daily Mail Australia. "They got together after we split."

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