Love Island Australia's Taylor Reid, 28, enjoys date night with his 'forever hall pass' Nicky Whelan, 44 - as the unlikely duo cosy up ringside at star-studded Melbourne event
Love Island star Taylor Reid, 28, turned heads on Saturday night as he stepped out in Melbourne for a cosy date night with Aussie actress Nicky Whelan, 44.
The genetically blessed duo were spotted sitting ringside at the HEX Fight Series event, with Taylor taking to Instagram to share a cheeky video alongside the former Neighbours star.
In the flirty clip, Taylor is seen posing coolly in a black leather jacket and white headscarf, before turning to the camera and blowing a kiss while Nicky sits beside him, beaming in a plunging black lace top and bold red blazer.
He captioned the video: 'My forever hall pass… @nickywhelan'.
It was a clear nod to Whelan's role in the 2011 comedy Hall Pass, where she starred opposite Owen Wilson – and fans were quick to pick up on the reference.
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Love Island star Taylor Reid, 28, (left) turned heads on Saturday night as he stepped out in Melbourne for a cosy date night with Aussie actress Nicky Whelan, 44 (right)
Nicky later reposted the video to her own social media, adding, 'Back in Melbourne at the best @hexfs,' confirming her attendance at the action-packed event, which attracted a bevy of local celebrities.
An onlooker told Daily Mail Australia that Taylor appeared completely smitten with the Hollywood starlet.
'Tay wouldn't leave Nicky for one moment. Omg!!! It was funny to watch. He was obsessed,' the source said.
The pair's unexpected public appearance sparked whispers among fans, with many questioning whether a romance could be blossoming between the reality TV hunk and the LA-based actress, who is best known for her roles in Neighbours and Scrubs.
The event itself was a star-studded affair, with several familiar faces spotted in the crowd including singer Barry Conrad and former MAFS bride Lyndall Grace.
Also in attendance was soon to be Aussie Shore star Harrison Quinero and his brother Eddie Ford.
Nicky rose to fame playing Heidi 'Pepper' Steiger on the long- running soap opera Neighbours from 2006 to 2007.
She later moved to America to pursue a career in Hollywood and has appeared in several US productions, including Scrubs, Entourage and Hall Pass.
Nicky often speaks about her passion for fitness, regularly sharing photos and videos on Instagram.
Last year, she revealed the drastic measures she took to improve her health following her doomed marriage to retired NFL player Kerry Rhodes.
She separated from Kerry, 42, in October 2017, just six months after saying 'I do'.
After their split she gave up several things, including sex for two years.
Speaking on the Talk Scary To Me podcast, Nicky said she wanted 'reset' her body and lifestyle.
'I took two years off everything. Like I just threw cigarettes and alcohol,' she said.
'Overnight, I stopped all that and I didn't date, touch, go out with, speak to, have sex, do nothing, for two years.
The Chosen star said it was the best decision she ever made for her mind and body.
Nicky admitted she never thought she'd be able to break the habits, not even for one year.
'I spoke to this love coach and she said to me, "You need to take 12 months off,"' she recalled.
The performer had refused to speak publicly about her divorce for a year.
She finally broke her silence in October 2018, sharing an emotional essay about heartbreak to Instagram.
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