EXCLUSIVE: 'I’ve never met her!': Hunky wrestler The Tank DENIES he’s enjoying a fling with actress Sheridan Smith… as it’s revealed he’s dating stunning fetish model Romanie Smith

Published: 12:35 GMT, 10 December 2017 | Updated: 14:33 GMT, 10 December 2017

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It was reported that he was enjoying a series of secret dates with the stage star.

And now wrestler Stuart Tomlinson, 32, has hit back at claims he has been dating Sheridan Smith, 36, and insisted to MailOnline he doesn't know the actress.

The former wrestler - nicknamed The Tank - was linked to the acclaimed screen star - who recently split from beau Graham Nation - on Sunday but has vehemently denied any contact with her and revealed he's happily romancing stunning fetish model Romanie Smith, 22.

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Deny: Stuart Tomlinson, 32, has hit back at claims he has been dating Sheridan Smith, 36, and insisted to MailOnline he doesn't know the actress

Stuart turned to wrestling in 2014 after he quit a career in professional football - although he has since quit the ring and is now a goalkeeper for non-league Altrincham FC.

Speaking to MailOnline, the muscular ring star - who went by Hugo Knox - said: 'I'm not sure where that story has come from, but I don't know nor have I met Miss Smith.'

'I'm currently in a relationship with Romanie and very happy.'

Sharing an abundance of snaps on both their social media, Stuart's love Romanie - who he has been seeing for a year - gushed about her beau just nine days ago as they celebrated her birthday.

Hitting back: The former wrestler was linked to the acclaimed screen star - who recently split from beau Graham Nation - on Sunday but has vehemently denied any contact with Sheridan Smith (Pictured above)

Pin-up: He revealed he's happily romancing stunning fetish model Romanie Smith, 22

Honest: Stuart turned to wrestling in 2014 after he quit a career in professional football - although he has since left the ring and is now a goalkeeper for non-league Altrincham FC. Speaking to MailOnline, he said: 'I'm not sure where that story has come from, but I don't know nor have I met Miss Smith' (Pictured in 2008)

She wrote: 'Massive thank you to my gorgeous boyfriend @stutomo85 for making my birthday extra special I love you lots.

In another cosy photo of the pair infront of the London Eye in October, the beautiful blonde pin-up paid tribute to her other half.

She shared: 'So apparently today is national boyfriend day... So happy boyfriend day to my darling @stutomo85... not that I know what the hell i'm suppose to do today other then tell you I love you, which I do a gazillion times a day, everyday!

'Thanks for accepting I'm weird and putting up with all the other unexplainable random things I do! Claps for Stuart for being awesome.'

Loved-up: Sharing an abundance of snaps on both their social media, Stuart's love Romanie - who he has been seeing for a year - gushed about her beau just nine days ago as they celebrated her birthday

Gushing: In another cosy photo of the pair, the beautiful blonde pin-up paid tribute to her other half

Reports: The furore comes after The Sun reported that Sheridan had been secretly dating the heavily-tattooed sports star

The furore comes after The Sun reported that Sheridan had been secretly dating the heavily-tattooed sports star.

A source close to him said: 'Sheridan and Stuart have been seeing each other for a while — they began speaking around October and have met quite a few times.

'Usually Stuart goes to her flat in North London. It’s casual so far, but they really enjoy each other’s company. Sheridan likes guys who have muscles and tattoos, so Stuart is her type.'

MailOnline have contacted Sheridan Smith's rep for comment.

In an appearance on the Jonathan Ross Show last month, Sheridan teased that she was dating.

Romance: In an appearance on the Jonathan Ross Show last month, Sheridan teased that she was dating

When asked if she had any romance in her life, she answered: 'I don’t know what I’m in at the minute.'

On the same show, Sheridan spoke about returning to the limelight after struggling with her mental health and why she is speaking out about it now.

Sheridan pulled out performing in the West End production Funny Girl in December following the devastating death of her father, Colin, from cancer and she recalled: 'It was the worst thing.

'I hate it and I always think "The show must go on" and I hate letting anyone down but I think the public understood in a way that you can’t choose when these things happen.

Speaking out: When asked if she had any romance in her life, she answered: 'I don’t know what I’m in at the minute.' On the same show, Sheridan spoke about returning to the limelight after struggling with her mental health and why she is speaking out about it now'

'It was a gradual build up when my dad got diagnosed and I just couldn’t continue, I lost my mind, I completely did to the point where people were stopping me in the street and cuddling me because people understand that, it’s just life.'

Discussing her battle with her mental health, she said: 'I’d been performing anyway leading up to that, and I’ve always had a bit of anxiety, and so I was a little bit nervous but the catalyst of it all was my dad.

'Now I’m in a better place, I want to say "It’s okay not to be okay" because I didn’t speak about it and then it snowballed and it came to this huge head… You’re scared to ask for help because people think "Oh what have you got to be worried about?"

'I’ve taken time away, stepped away, managed to be around my family, have some quality time with them and come back with this album and a tour and hope that people welcome me back.'

Down: Sheridan pulled out performing in the West End production Funny Girl in December following the devastating death of her father, Colin, from cancer and she recalled: 'It was the worst thing (Pictured 2013)

While she's feeling in a better place, the Gavin and Stacey actress admitted that she's still working on keeping her anxiety under control.

She explained: 'It’s a weird thing because people just go, "Pull yourself together" and that’s the worst thing you can say… You can’t help it. Unfortunately it just comes. It’s an issue that I have that I’m working on.'

Sheridan hasn't ruled out returning to the stage, however, as she explained: 'I’m straight back.

'I’m filming an ITV drama at the minute, then a Channel 4 drama after that then I’m going on the road, I’m touring with the album which I’ve never done and I’m terrified.'

Better: While she's feeling in a better place, the Gavin and Stacey actress admitted that she's still working on keeping her anxiety under control (Pictured in 2016)