Towie beauty Kate Wright has slapped a ban on any mentions of love interest Rio Ferdinand in the new series.
The reality star, 25, told bosses she has no intention of using the relationship to increase camera time, fearing extra exposure will put the relationship at threat.
The Sun revealed last month Kate and Rio were in the early stages of dating and the couple has deliberately kept their romance away from the spotlight ever since.
However, the “Rio ban” hasn’t stopped her co-stars trying to rib her about the relationship while the cameras are rolling.
A source said: “Kate has said right from the start she doesn’t want anyone namechecking Rio in the show. “As far as she’s confirmed her new relationship has nothing to do with Towie and she intends to keep it that way.
“But the romance is the talk of the set and some of the cheekier cast-members have already tried to wind her up by asking if she supports Manchester United and if she likes wearing red.” Neither Kate or Rio have commented about the relationship following The Sun’s story.
When asked if she was dating the former Manchester United ace at the National TV Awards by Bizarre editor Dan Wootton, on the same day our story broke, Kate replied: “I can’t speak about that right now.”
