PICTURED: Sam Faiers' stony-faced beau Paul Knightley steps out amid criticism for 'awkward' kiss with his mother on reality television show

He has been criticised for his first television appearance with partner Sam Faiers on The Baby Diaries and Paul Knightley has been pictured out for the first time since the show aired. 

The 27-year-old looked stony-faced as he headed to the local garden centre, wearing a Nike gilet in green over a black tracksuit as he kept a low profile in a dark baseball cap. 

The one-off show aired on Sunday night on ITVBe and documented their journey to becoming first time parents.  

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Stony-faced: Paul Knightley was pictured for the first time on Tuesday since his first television appearance on The Baby Diaries aired on Sunday 

Opinions: Social media branded him 'controlling' and a 'man child' after the show, with others branding a kiss he shared with his mother, Gaynor, 'awkward' (pictured)

Sam defended the new father after people on social media called him 'controlling' and a 'man child' after the show, with others branding a kiss he shared with his mother, Gaynor, 'awkward.'

His outing comes after his 25-year-old partner posted a picture of him on Instagram, writing that he had 'cured' her of her Crohn's disease.

She wrote: 'wow Paul really is getting some stick. I wish people wouldn't look into it so much. It's just a tv show edited & made for good viewing.

Defiant: Sam Faiers hit out at critics of her boyfriend as she posted a photo of herself with baby son Paul Tony on her Instagram on Monday

Sporty: The 27-year-old looked stony-faced as he headed to the local garden centre, wearing a Nike gilet in green over a black tracksuit as he kept a low profile in a dark baseball cap

Journey: The one-off show aired on Sunday night on ITVBe and documented their time as they beca first time parents

She said: 'Yes he fell asleep reading baby books, didn't attend yoga & no he doesn't cook but he is the most caring loving man I know. & the best daddy to baby Paul'

'Also I'd like to add... This is then man who got me better from Crohn's disease. Months of studying and researching to find me alternative natural medication. He's my hero . ☺️ xxx'

 'Yes he fell asleep reading baby books, didn't attend yoga & no he doesn't cook but he is the most caring loving man I know. & the best daddy to baby Paul.

'Also I'd like to add... This is then man who got me better from Crohn's disease. Months of studying and researching to find me alternative natural medication. He's my hero . ☺️ xxx'

According to the NHS, 'Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.

'Inflammation can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the back passage, but most commonly occurs in the last section of the small intestine (ileum) or the large intestine (colon).'

Sam's bold claim is at odds with the health service's assessment of the condition, for which it says there is currently no cure.

Instead medical professionals aim to 'stop the inflammatory process, relieve symptoms and avoid surgery wherever possible.'

The former TOWIE star was trending on Twitter on Sunday during the broadcast of her one-off show.

Medical marvel? Sam Faiers, 25, has claimed her man Paul Knightley, 27, 'cured' her of Crohn's disease

Defence: The reality star wrote a lengthy Instagram post praising her man after fans were left unimpressed by his behaviour on one-off TV special The Baby Diaries

After being faced with a barrage of commentary on her relationship, Sam, 25, posted a defiant photo of herself kissing their baby son Paul Jnr on the lips on her Instagram on Monday afternoon.

In an obvious reference to Paul Snr locking lips with his mother Gaynor, Sam wrote: 'I will kiss my baby boy on the lips forever. Thank you for everyone's support and kind comments on our show.

'Media & people will always try find negative.

'I'm happy & so totally in love with my family #myworld #positive x.'

Despite Sam's show of support for her boyfriend, it seems a majority of her Instagram followers didn't agree with her following her Instagram post.

One follower commented on the image: 'I have to say me and my fiancé was watching the show and was rather shocked about the intimate kiss Paul and his mum shared. Cringe !!!!! He does not seem very supportive towards you. Maybe you didn't get to know him enough before u fell pregnant!'

Another wrote: 'I thought you came across so well, however the sadness in your eyes was so apparent when he let you down and humiliated you by not showing up at your mum's for dinner. You are a wonderful mother, but I think I'm just 1 of thousands that think you deserve a lot better than what the 'man' gives you, mentally, physically and emotionally he's not in it.'

Unusual: Other viewers commented on a kiss Paul Knightley shared with his mother Gaynor in the show as they talked about his move into parenthood

One wrote: 'Just watched the Sam faiers programme. Her boyfriend and his mother are very creepy... Strange relationship'

The ITVBe show marked Paul's first ever TV appearance with his girlfriend of 16 months, Sam, who found fame on TOWIE.

The pair started dating in October 2014 just weeks after Sam ended her on/off relationship with Joey Essex.

The former glamour model was shocked to find she was pregnant just five months into their relationship, with their son Paul Tony born on 29 December.

During the broadcast, viewers commented on a kiss Paul shared with his mother Gaynor in the show as they talked about his move into parenthood.

One wrote: 'Just watched the Sam faiers programme. Her boyfriend and his mother are very creepy... Strange relationship.'

Criticism: Her highly-publicised new reality show, The Baby Diaries was aired on Sunday night, but Sam's boyfriend Paul has been slammed on Twitter following his first TV appearance

While a second said: 'Sam Faiers boyfriend awkward kiss with his MUM!!!! Did anyone else see this?' 

In the one-off ITVBe show, Paul was shown refusing to move in with Sam when she was six months pregnant, or cook for himself, asking his girlfriend to make him beans on toast when she was breastfeeding.

Sam was seen telling him, 'I feel like you haven't been around,' in the weeks leading up to the birth. He also took a two hour nap while she was in labour.

Paul Snr also told her that he didn't like her choice of baby outfits, so she returned them, with Sam explaining: 'He's just very particular about what he likes.'

Awkward: The couple have been together for 16 months and welcomed their first child together, Paul, just weeks ago, but the social media site branded Paul Senior as 'controlling' and a 'man child'

Her former TOWIE co-star @MariaFowler wrote: 'Watching Sam Faiers baby diaries... So cute! But surprised about her bf though, he seems a bit of a man child?' 

A viewer wrote: 'Anyone else think that Paul and his mum are very controlling and have an odd feel about them ?? #babydiaries #samfaires.' [sic].

Another said: '5 minutes into Sam Faiers baby diaries and I already think her boyfriend is an absolute kn*b.'

While a third said: 'Sam Faiers Baby Diaries her boyfriend is coming across like a bit of a Tool though... #babydiaries.'

It wasn't all negativity though. One viewer wrote: 'Got me all emotional watching @SamanthaFaiers baby diaries. She did amazing. Beautiful family, beautiful babbas.' 

 

Not impressed: Viewers took to Twitter in their droves to discuss their relationship

Nicola McLean wrote: 'Watching @SamanthaFaiers #babydiaries crying ! It's just so cute @ITVBe.

'So Paul @SamanthaFaiers bf is getting a hard time! Editing is a strange tool she looks lovely the perfect mummy.' 

Sam herself took to Twitter to thank her viewers for watching. 

She said: 'omg we was so nervous watching the show tonight... Thank u so much everyone for your support #TheBabyDiaries.'

The reality star added: 'Overwhelmed with all your kind messages and support good night xxxxx.'

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Sam Faiers for comment. 

Praise: It wasn't all negativity though and some tweeted about how lovely the family seem