Happy families: Heidi Klum's bodyguard boyfriend shows how close he's got to her daughter Leni as she clings to him in park

PUBLISHED: 04:24 EST, 9 October 2012 | UPDATED: 09:33 EST, 9 October 2012

They've only been dating for several months.

But his transition to boyfriend and father figure for her brood of children must have been easier by the fact he's already been in their lives for four years.

Now Heidi Klum's bodyguard partner, who has acted as the family's security man for years, has shown off just how close he now is in particular to her eldest daughter Leni.

The couple headed out to watch one of the supermodel's sons play football in a nearby park with eight-year-old Leni in tow.

Father figure: Heidi Klum's bodyguard boyfriend shows just how close he's got to her daughter Leni as they play together in the park

And she spent most of her time on the sidelines clinging to Martin Kristen as she revealed how comfortable she is in his company.

The statuesque South African happily carried her as she wrapped her legs around him in a playful exchange.

Wearing a striped shirt and jeans Martin bent down to grab the little blonde, who seemed to squeal with delight as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Getting on like a house on fire: Martin has easily made the transition from bodyguard to father figure since dating the blonde beauty

And Heidi also seemed to be pleased with the exchange going on between the pair as she watched her daughter having fun with her new man.

Dressed in black skinny jeans with a vest top and ankle boots, the catwalk star wore sunglasses on her face with her hair scraped back.

And she even found it amusing when Kristen started to lose his grip on Leni and finally put her back down on the grass.

Clearly delighted with having been carried so high, she then swapped over to her mum, who then had her turn carrying her daughter on the sidelines.

New partner: The catwalk star started dating Martin following the breakdown of her marriage to Seal

It was a carefree day off for the star as she cooled off in the LA heat with an ice lolly while she knew Leni would be under the watchful eye of Martin.

Last month the German model told Katie Couric on her talk show that her romance with Martin had 'just started,' after Couric asked if she is in a 'proper relationship.'

She said: 'I don't even know if I can call it that. I don't know.'

She then elaborated on her friendship with Martin whom she has known for four years.

Mummy's turn: Obviously in a cuddly mood, Leni jumped on Heidi as soon as Martin had put her back down

He's been with our family for the last four years,' she said. 'He’s cared for our entire family, mostly for our four children, helped us tremendously.

'I trust him with my children’s life. He’s a great man, you know, and we just got to know each other from a completely different side.'

Couric also addressed Heidi's ex-husband Seal's comments that Heidi had been having an affair with Martin while they were still married, asking her: 'He accused you of quote, "fornicating with the help", implying you were having an affair with your bodyguard while you were married.'

Family day out: Her youngest daughter Lou Sulola and son Joahn was also with them as they spent quality time together watching Henry play in a football match

The talk show host added: 'He then clarified the comment and said "before your divorce was final."

'But what did you think about his comments, how he said them, because a lot of people were put off by his choice of words?'

Heidi said: 'Yes, he has a very unique choice of words. I'm used to them. I don't know. I don't love that. Obviously, it's not true. I’ve never looked at another man while I was with him.

'And it's hard when you think that he thinks that, you don't know...he was hurt...' she added.

Quality time: After watching the game, the brood then headed to Mr Bones Pumpkin Patch in Hollywood as she carried little Lou

According to the Project Runway host, they have both moved on since announcing their split back in January this year, although the increased media scrutiny has put pressure on her new relationship.

'He's moved on,' said Heidi. 'When we separated he's moved on and so have I. And it's very hard when you start seeing somebody again, you know. All of a sudden. It's hard then when everyone is watching you. It's almost like you can't have a real proper chance in a way.

'And I do want to date again. I'm turning 40. I don't even know where it's going to go.'

She acknowledged she and Seal aren't 'the greatest of friends' in the wake of their split, adding that she was stunned when the singer alluded to her having an affair with her bodyguard.

Heidi said the pair are talking, but for now she's taking it 'one day at a time'.

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Comments (31)

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How come Leni is blonde? Heidi is a natural brunette and Flavio is...grey, but he's Italian. Her face looks like Flavio, though. - Tribba , Berlin, 09/10/2012 11:56------------Depends what part of Italy he's from. Many northern Italians are blonds.

- Pak31 , USA, 09/10/2012 14:34

Click to rate Rating 168

Leni is so adorable. Look how long her legs are ! another model in the making.

- Poppy , Paris, France, 09/10/2012 14:23

Click to rate Rating 208

Er, I'm not a fully qualified geneticist but I'll take a wild guess and say that's not Seal's natural daughter. - Rocktour, London, 9/10/2012 11:12 Leni is her daughter with Flavio Briatore, not Seal

- And , South Wales, United Kingdom, 09/10/2012 14:16

Click to rate Rating 181

Heidi's children are beautiful! Leni looks like she inherited her Mums looks!

- Karen , Lost in Space, 09/10/2012 13:50

Click to rate Rating 119

I like her boots!

- Amanda , Glasgow, United Kingdom, 09/10/2012 13:38

Click to rate Rating 55

If seal has a problem with it, maybe he should spend time with his kids. I think that the bodyguard is the perfect choice for a companion right now.

- Southerntwinb , Usa, 09/10/2012 13:35

Click to rate Rating 140

Do not like Heidi at all.

- LBMK , Deepest Surrey, 09/10/2012 13:30

Click to rate Rating 34

That's why the younger generation will be the same as the old ones some of them set no Example for their children as daddy out the door here comes and next man in mummy bed so soon one in one out and she could not wait to get her bodyguard in bed no morals

- SAY HOW IT IS , Birmingham, 09/10/2012 13:12

Click to rate Rating 32

leni is finally beginning to look pretty, shame about the ears though. - MissCheri , Kosice, 09/10/2012 10:41 Ears would have been least of her worries if she'd gone after her dad, seal - sak500 , dubai, 09/10/2012 11:55 i think you meant flavio right?

- MissCheri , Kosice, 09/10/2012 12:59

Click to rate Rating 56

So how many daddy's do these children have ...!!!! Hmmmm

- klf....aka. Mr Green , derby, 09/10/2012 12:50

Click to rate Rating 119

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