Love Actually...or is it just a quick rumba?

  Martine's dates with Kaplinsky ex

 

By Nadia Cohen

MARTINE McCUTCHEON appears to be in love, actually, with Natasha Kaplinsky's ex Brendan Cole.

The sexy actress looked smitten when she met the dancer for a romantic lunch in London this week.

Wearing a low-cut black top and tight jeans Martine—Prime Minister's tea lady Natalie in hit movie Love, Actually—gazed adoringly at Brendan throughout their meal.

A spokesman for dancer Brendan said: "They are dating but it's very early days. They are just seeing how it goes but they are having a lot of fun together."

It was the latest in a succession of dates since they were introduced by mutual friends at a showbiz party.

But pals fear the relationship could end in heartbreak because Brendan, 29, is still on the rebound from Natasha, his partner in Strictly Come Dancing.

He was devastated when TV presenter Natasha announced her engagement to investment banker Justin Bower last month after a six-week romance.

Fragile

A friend of Brendan said last night: "He is having tons of fun with Martine. He's really enjoying himself. She's a good laugh.

"But he is still pretty fragile about Natasha moving on with Justin so fast. If he is on the rebound, Martine needs to be careful not to fall for him too hard."

Brendan broke off his engagement to dance instructor Camilla Dallerup when he was paired with Natasha on the hit BBC1 show links.

All Martine's previous affairs have ended badly.

Last boyfriend James Tanner, a property developer, broke her heart when it turned out he was also seeing BBC1 presenter Sophie McDonnell.

Before that Martine, 28—Tiffany in EastEnders—dated Jonathan Barnham. He also cheated on her before being jailed for his involvement in a £30million drug smuggling racket.