If, like us, you're an avid Real Housewives of Cheshire viewer; and if you're an avid RHOCheshire viewer, then you're probably experiencing a range of different emotions at this moment in the show's dramatic history.
You're probably feeling a little empty and low now that new episodes are no longer dropping every Monday, excited (that's a lie, perhaps weeing yourself) that the gals are going cruising this Christmas for an extra-special festive special (featuring ex-Housewives Tanya Bardsley and Ester Dee - yes, really), and anxious about how Rachel Lugo and boyfriend Nick are doing after THAT painful reunion episode.
The 2022 RHOCheshire reunion was predictably jam-packed full of savage snide comments, wagging fingers, and hurled sofas (okay, we made that last one up, but it did get fiery – particularly between Lystra Adams and Nicole Sealey), but the real gag came when Rachel told host Brian Dowling that while in Ibiza, her and Nick rewatched comments made by Rachel regarding getting married again and what she'd do if Nick proposed (spoiler alert: she wouldn't accept.
She then went on to reveal that she hadn't seen Nick since, implying the relationship was on the rocks, if not shipwrecked (obviously not the time to be making jokes, but we couldn't resist this seamless segue - plus, we know that a happy-ish ending is on the way).
Without context, it's very easy to jump to panic stations here, but allow us to reassure you with facts, and by facts we mean words directly spoken by Rachel to Closer Online.
We've spent the last week or so catching up with the Housewives about the upcoming three-part Christmas special (we've clearly been very good this year) and about halfway through our rounds we caught up with Rachel. After a quick catch-up about RHOCheshire series 15, the Christmas special, becoming a sexy granny, we turned our attention to boyfriend Nick. Although Nick has been all over Rachel's grid and Story for weeks now, your average RHOCheshire viewer will be assuming that Rachel and Nick are no longer together after this season's jaw-dropping reunion. So what's really going on? Are the pair back together and, if so, are things good between them right now?
Rachel exclusively told Closer, "Yeah they are, they are."
Phew.
So what's been going on then? Rachel revealed that the couple are at a complicated point where they're asking, "Okay, What next?"
Rachel explained, "Anyone knows that with blended families it’s really tricky. It’s frightening as well when it starts getting more serious, as to how it’s going to work.
“When you’ve gone through a divorce, it’s not something you ever want to go through again. So, yeah, people were shocked [following the reunion]. I’ve had people…their daughters have watched it and said, ‘Oh, mummy! Are Rachel and Nick not together anymore?’
Rachel told Closer that "communication" has been key for her and Nick, adding, "You can work through most things with communication. We’re two and a half years now and you can reach a point where you have to of. ‘Okay, what next?’, so that’s something at the minute. We’ll see.”
We're sending Rachel and Nick both buckets full of love and positive energy now and henceforth and hope to see them all loved up again if and when series 16 happens.
We asked, she wouldn't give anything away.
Are Rachel Lugo and Nick getting matching tattoos?
TikTok Rachel recently shared on her Instagram Story – one which Nick had sent to her.
In the TikTok, a heart is drawn and the TikTok voice of God says, "This initial has to get matching tattoos with you". Naturally, an 'R' is drawn. We're guessing if Nick is sending such cutesy TikToks to our Rachel, the couple is now in a better place.
Rachel captioned the post, "When he sends this to me 😂 What shall we get 🤔."
Now of course our biggest worry about this relationship is that they are going to choose something tacky and permanent – surely not; this is Rachel Lugo, we're talking about. But regardless, this is a big step forward in any relationship and we're thrilled to see that these two are seemingly moving forward – matching tatts and all.
Rachel Lugo and Nick are certainly Instagram official...
Here's something that has been bringing joy to many a RHOCheshire fan recently; Nick is all over Rachel's Instagram grid. In fact, just a few weeks ago, Rachel was going on about how luscious and sublime Nick's hair transplant was looking months after filming.
But who is Rachel Lugo's boyfriend, Nick? What does he do? Are they living together? We've got all the answers...
Who is Rachel Lugo's boyfriend?
Rachel is in a relationship with her new man Nick. He's super private, in fact, he's so private we that we think his full name is Nick Smith, but we wouldn't put money on it.
However, the RHOC star has admitted that she feels very comfortable around him.
"I'm definitely not afraid to be myself. Nick sees me warts and all, dressing gown and all. Sometimes doubling up on my dressing gown," she joked.
What does Rachel Lugo's boyfriend do?
Nick has actually retired but before that, he played rugby. Rachel explained on her Instagram Story, "Nick was actually retired when I met him.
"I don't know how long he'll stay retired for though, I think he'll want to start doing something."
She later added, "He still plays rugby actually but he used to play in New Zealand".
However, he does occasionally appear on RHOC, so that's technically work, right, ladies?
How old is Rachel Lugo's boyfriend?
Nick is 52 years old and has insisted he won't be having any kids in the future.
In March 2021, he said on Rachel's Instagram Story, "No more babies for Nick. Not for the grand old age of 50, nearly 51."
He went on to reveal that he's had a "vasectomy", with Rachel adding, "Thank God".
Do Rachel Lugo and her boyfriend Nick live together?
Late last year, Rachel opened up about the next step in her relationship and made it clear she's not rushing it any time soon.
On her Instagram Story after a fan asked if they're moving in together she replied, "No. We're only just taking our first holiday."
She went on to delve into her relationship and admitted, "I've never spent the night at his and he's never spent the night at mine - we both have children."
Fans were obsessed with the episode where Rachel and her boyfriend officially became a couple.
"Rachel's fella is just adorable!!! Love him," wrote one viewer.
Someone else tweeted, "So nice to see Rachel so happy with her new man #RHOCheshire".
How did Rachel Lugo and her boyfriend meet?
The RHOC star and her new partner actually met on the dating app Luxy but Rachel told her fans that the app, "was predominately very international".
She also defended Nick after one of her followers commented, "Lol I bet he's got money 💵".
Rachel was quick to hit back and wrote, "Money doesn't cuddle you when you are down... There is more to life than materialistic things... ❤️❤️❤️😘".
But it helps, right?
When did Rachel and her boyfriend Nick start dating?
Rachel and Nick actually started talking in 3 June 2020 and on their first date they went for a walk - three months before that's all anybody could do for a year.
"Our first date was a walk. It's not the same as having dinner with someone where you've got eye contact and you can look at them," she explained.
"I didn't stop chatting but we were side by side, so [their love] grew".
Who was Rachel Lugo married to?
Rachel's relationship with Nick comes after the breakdown of her 23-year marriage after her now ex-husband John Lugo cheated.
However she's made it clear to fans that she won't let the past affect her new relationship.
"It is hard [to trust someone again after being hurt] but it's not fair on the new person in your life to take them with the brush of someone else.
"So until they give me a reason not to trust them, I will trust them," she said on her Instagram Story.
Are Rachel Lugo and Dawn Ward friends?
Rachel recently admitted that despite her fallout with Dawn on RHOCheshire, they're still on great terms. Did you know they've been friends for the best part of 20 years?
"Wardy and I are as close as ever... We've been friends a long time and she's always been there for me, I'm always there for her. I love her to bits."
And it seems that she's missing former RHOC housewife Ester Dee after she decided to quit the show following her feud with co-star Nicole Sealey.
"I really miss Ester. We call each other blondey, we have a lot of giggles. We've butted heads occasionally but I really miss her craziness," she told her fans.