Chris Hughes has opened up on his close relationship from JoJo Siwa during his interview with Will Best and AJ Odudu as he leaves the Celebrity Big Brother house

Chris Hughes has spoken out about his close friendship with housemate JoJo Siwa. Chris was the first housemate to be evicted in the final, and during his exit interview with Will Best and AJ Odudu, the Love Island star, 32, opened up on his close friendship with JoJo – comparing her to his ex-girlfriend, Little Mix star Jesy Nelson.

JoJo and Chris’ close friendship has become one of the most talked about moments of the 2025 series. The two became extremely close and were seen sharing cuddles in bed together. Although many thought it was purely platonic, others have raised eyebrows – as JoJo is currently in a relationship with partner Kath Ebbs.

During his interview, Chris said: “JoJo was like a pure rock to me. She was someone that I could have fun with. That to me was a beautiful friendship.

Chris and JoJo have become extremely close in the house ( 
Image:
ITV)
“She said to me last night you’re someone in my life I didn’t know I needed,” Chris then broke into tears as he said: “she reminded me a lot of….”

“The thing that fascinates me the most about her is not the things she’s done, it’s what she’s been through when she was a teenager and that’s similar to what my ex-girlfriend went through.

“Seeing how they are both similarly as… in the respect that she’s come through a lot and she’s just a purely nice person. The similarity is in the personality. How nice they are, how loving they are and how caring they are.

Chris and Jesy dated from January 2019 until April 2020. ( 
Image:
Chris Hughes/Instagram)
“From a friendship point of view, of course I love her,” Chris said of JoJo.

Fans couldn’t believe Chris had spoken about Jesy during his interview, as one tweeted: “CHRIS COMPARING JOJO TO JESY NELSON!” A second wrote: “Not Chris comparing Jojo to his ex Jesy #CBBUK”.

Chris and Jesy began dating at the start of 2019, however, their relationship came to an end just over a year later. At the time, the source said the split was amicable and the two “remain good friends”.

It comes after Chris’ close friend and former co-star Jake Quickenden defended him for getting close to the Dance Moms star, claiming he’s “addicted to connection”.

Speaking to host AJ Odudu, father of two Jake said: “He is addicted to connection. I did a show with him, he latched onto me and I couldn’t get rid of him. Still can’t get rid of him,” he laughed.

“It was the same in Love Island with Kem,” Jake continued. “He finds his person and they’re his safety blanket.

Speaking on JoJo and Chris sharing cuddles in bed together, Jake said: “Even when I stop over at his house he won’t let me sleep in the spare room, he makes me sleep in bed with him. He wants to have a chat and he wants to wake up and bring you a cup of tea. That’s just Chris.”