After enduring a "toxic" on-off four-year relationship with ex Jake McLean before their split back in 2016, she revealed earlier this year that they had briefly rekindled their romance.
But insiders say Lauren Goodger has been left devastated by revelations her close pal and TOWIE co-star Yazmin Oukhellou had recently struck up a flirtation with the former convict behind her back, telling friends she’s not sure what to believe any more.
A source reveals, "Lauren was in a state when she found out Yaz and Jake had been on dates together. Essex is a small place and she heard through word of mouth rather than from Yaz or Jake themselves.
"She’s trying to put on a brave face but she feels she’s been betrayed by two people she really cared about. Yaz was someone she opened up to about Jake, so for her to go behind her back and date him, knowing how upset that would make Lauren, feels like a low blow. She doesn’t want to have a big showdown with Yaz, but she’s told pals she can’t see how they can be friends again. She’s heartbroken."
Yazmin’s rep confirmed she had been on a couple of dates with Jake after meeting in Essex, but insisted the romance was now over.
Lauren was said to have been a "pillar of support" to Yazmin, following her recent split from fellow TOWIE star James Lock.
And to make matters worse, sources say Lauren had started seeing Jake again as recently as July – even confiding to Yazmin about her feelings for him during a girlie holiday to Marrakech together.
The source adds, "Yaz knew how Lauren felt about Jake because she opened up to her about their on-off romance during the girls’ holiday in July.
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"They had gone away together just after Yaz’s break-up with James to take her mind off things, so Lauren felt like she was a great friend to her and they were really close. It’s never nice to see your ex with anyone, but with someone you considered a friend is even more of a blow."
Lauren dated Jake on and off until 2016 and, following their split, called the relationship "toxic" – claiming he had been controlling throughout.
She then embarked on a unsteady two-year romance with criminal Joey Morrison while he was behind bars, but they broke up last July when he was caught messaging a string of other women. She called the affair her "biggest mistake".
Most recently, Lauren was reported to have been flirtatious with pal Katie Price’s recent ex Kris Boyson– whom she denied kissing – on a boozy night out last month, but sources claimed she was left feeling "used" when the personal trainer admitted to friends he had staged it all to make Katie jealous.
Check out: Lauren Goodger boyfriends - where are they now?
Lauren Goodger boyfriends - where are they now SLIDER
1 of 8Mark Wright
Lauren dated childhood sweetheart Mark for 12 years - with nearly two years of their rocky romance aired on TOWIE. Lauren was so committed, she even had Mark's name tattooed on her bikini line. But in one dramatic episode in 2011, Lauren decided to have it lasered off whilst the couple were on a break - much to her suprise, Mark made a marriage proposal on the same day. The on/off pair split for good after just five months of being engaged.
2 of 8Mark Wright
Mark is now married to former Coronation Streetstar Michelle Keegan. The pair tied the knot in 2015, but have since juggled their marriage with work commitments whilst Michelle has travelled abroad for BBC drama Our Girl and Mark has taken on the showbiz world in America.
3 of 8Jake McLean
Lauren dated Jake McLean on and off from 2012 to 2016 - during which, Lauren had Jake's name tattooed on her wrist. But once the pair had parted ways for good, Lauren branded their romance 'toxic.' Following their split, Lauren said: "'I don't mean to sound horrible but I'm relieved it's over."
4 of 8Jake McLean
Following his time in the limelight with Lauren during their two year romance, Jake has now gone under the radar.
5 of 8Joey Morrison
Lauren raised eyebrows in September 2016 when she first started dating Joey, 33, while he was still in prison for a string of violent drugs-related charges. Defending their romance on Channel 5's In Therapy while they were still together, Lauren said, "This is the weirdest relationship ever, but it's exciting and I think that's why I like it. A bad boy never cheats, a bad boy is very loyal. They're strong family men, they've just got a bit of a naughty side to them." Opting for a tattoo hat-trick, Lauren also got Joey's name inked, once Jake's had been removed. The pair were together for two and a half years before they broke up in 2018.
6 of 8Joey Morrison
Joey was released from prison in September 2018, after serving half of his 16 year sentence. Enjoying his new-found freedom, he went onto social media to promote his luxurious lifestyle post-prison. Although Lauren and Joey have officially broken up, fans have spotted Joey featuring in Lauren's stories on Instagram on several occasions.
7 of 8Ricci Guarnaccio
Lauren and Ricci appeared on Celebrity Big Brother together, where he confessed to falling for her. But sadly for the Geordie lad, Lauren was adamant nothing would happen between them. Yet, despite the TOWIE star telling Vicky Pattison's ex that they would only ever "just be friends", the pair were inseparable at the post-eviction party. They were seen kissing and cuddling before heading back to their hotel together at 4am.
8 of 8Ricci Guarnaccio
After his time on Geordie Shore, Celebrity Big Brother and Ex on the Beach, Ricci has taken a step back from TV. Nowadays he uses his social media to plug teeth whitening brands and holidays. And it looks like TV isn't the only thing Ricci is steering clear of - in 2018, the Geordie star told Star magazine "I'm happily single. Women are evil. God put them on this earth to hurt us!"
The source adds, "Lauren has made no secret of the fact she wants to settle down and find the right man. She’s gone through her fair share of heartache with her exes and this recent betrayal has left her feeling really low.
"She wants to feel positive about dating and finding love but this has made her feel scared to open up. She says she doesn’t know who she can trust any more."
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Lauren admitted on the recent series of Celebs Go Datingthat she was now ready to become a mum, telling her pregnant pal and fellow reality star Marnie Simpson that she was feeling "broody".
And pals are now telling the star – who ended her 10-year relationship with former fiancé Mark Wright in 2013 amid cheating claims – to steer clear of the bad boys once and for all, insisting she needs to find a nice guy to give her love and respect.
The source adds, "Lauren’s type in the past has been bad boys, because she thinks it’s dangerous and exciting, but it has always led to heartache.
"Friends are telling her this latest ordeal with Yaz and Jake is even more proof she needs to stay away from those types of men, and focus her attention on someone who is ready to settle down and will treat her how she deserves to be treated."
Read more in this week's Closer magazine, out now.