8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
JoJo Siwa says Chris Hughes 'makes everything better' as he helps her beat fear
The couple who met on ITV reality show Celebrity Big Brother have been enjoying a visit to the Cotswolds, where they toured the stables run by Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill
JoJo Siwa has told her followers that Chris Hughes 'makes everything better' after they visited some of his favourite places. The pop star, 22 and ex-Love Island contestant have started dating after meeting on the set of Celebrity Big Brother.
After a trip to Mexico to support Dance Moms star Jojo, where she was performing and celebrating her birthday, Chris was keen to show his new partner the Cotswolds. The 32-year-old grew up on a farm in the area and he has had a long association with racing stable Jackdaws Castle, where Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill is based.
Chris, who rides out on the gallops when time allows, took Jojo on a tour of the yard - and started to help her overcome her fear of horses.
In an Instagram post sharing pictures of the trip, Jojo was seen stroking a pony in a field, with the caption: "Touching a horse for the first time in 8 years (since I was thrown off one during a filming I've been scared to be around them haha loved this though after I warmed up!).'
Chris was keen to show Jojo how gentle horses can be at O'Neill's yard, with the pair posing for a picture next to a thoroughbred he rode, showing his talents in the saddle.
READ MORE: ITV racing pundit Kevin Blake correctly predicts 8,000-1 Derby tricast with big race 1-2-3
In 2018 he trained to be a jockey for the Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives charity race at York, where he steered Carnageo into fifth place.
"Gorgeous boy riding a gorgeous horse," Jojo said, with an image of Chris heading up the gallops at Jackdaws, which has state-of-the-art facilities including a swimming pool and solarium for thoroughbred horses.
On the same visit, Chris was seen leading Jojo towards the stables to meet the racers, who have their names on the wall next to each box.
A friend of the O'Neill family, Chris became besotted with a mare named Annie Mc, who raced in the Marsh Novices' Chase at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. The reality TV star has worked as an ambassador for bookmakers Coral and they owned her through the firm's racing club. Annie Mc won seven times, including a Grade Two event and two races at Listed level, performances Chris and the members were proud of.
After a win at Warwick in February 2021, he tweeted: "I'm gone, emotional wreck. Pure heart. Shaking. I love you so much Annie, you've my heart forever. Superstar. Jumps racing gets you like this. Best sport in the world."
Chris has seen Annie Mc at Carisbrooke Stud, where she was retired to become a broodmare and gave birth to a foal by Doctor Dino. On a rainy day, Chris patted the now 11-year-old former chaser and kissed his "legend" on the nose in one clip.
"She fills our hearts with happiness, win, lose or draw and she's just such a special, genuine mare to be involved with," he said previously. "She's one in a lifetime and all of us connected are so proud. Heart of a lion."
As well as spending time with horses, Chris and Jojo went to Broadway, enjoying coffee and breakfast on the trip as their relationship continues to blossom.
"Nothing beats wholesome & pure days like these," Jojo added on Instagram.
