In 2015, Nikki confirmed that she's dating long-time friend Greg Whitehurst, a married man whose wedding she was a guest at fifteen months ago.
At the time, she described her relationship as ‘serious’, insisting: “We are very happy.”
Now, in a new interview with OK! Magazine, the Hollyoaks star has defended herself against cruel members of the public, many of whom have labelled her as a "home-wrecking whore" and "husband stealer”.
Nikki told the publication: "[Greg's] been blamed for something he didn't do.
"The papers made out that I was the third party who split them up, but in reality there was a third party who split them up on the other side.
"It ended through no fault of Greg's."
She added: "People say, 'Well, I wouldn't want to be her mate because she'd steal my boyfriend'.
“I’d never do anything like that."
Nikki, who plays Maxine Minniver in the hit Channel 4 soap, was a guest at Greg’s wedding to his wife Sarah in July 2014.
His marriage broke down at the beginning of 2015 - and there is absolutely nothing to suggest that Nikki had any involvement in the split.
Speaking in a statement issued in May, Nikki said: “I have known Greg and his family for many years. Greg's marriage ended in January, it was a very difficult time for him during which all of his friends and family supported him.
“We have started recently dating and its early days, so we are not rushing into anything but are both enjoying each other's company.”
It’s good to hear that the pair are so happy together, isn’t it?
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