Thom Evans EXCL: The rugby star reveals the key to his heart is a ‘good dancer’

He has been dating Nicole Scherzinger since the pair hit it off after meeting on the set of The X Factor: Celebrity.

And Thom Evans’ romance with The Pussycat Dolls singer 41, makes perfect sense as the rugby star, 34, revealed ‘key to anyone’s heart is a good dancer’.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Thom spoke about what he looks for in a relationship and the most romantic places he likes to visit.

‘My ideal romantic trip would probably be somewhere like Portugal. I’m a bit biased cause that’s where my mum and dad love. 

‘It’s got lovely wine, amazing scenery to go nice long romantic walks and at night there’s a lot of dancing to be had and they key to anyone’s heart is a good dancer. The Cha Cha is definitely up there.’

The sports star added that while he enjoyed a party lifestyle in his twenties, he is far more low key these days. 

He said: ‘I probably was more a champagne guy in my early twenties but now I’m definitely more a tea guy and have about three or four cups a day. 

‘There’s nothing better than coming back from a long day of work and pouring yourself a nice cuppa and some biscuits, chocolate digestives. I’m a simple man.’     

‘Without a question of a doubt, my mum goes the extra length and does the leaf tea so brews it for a good thirty minutes. Nothing compares to mum’s cuppa tea, that’s for sure.’

Thom lauded his girlfriend Nicole on International Women’s Day on Sunday, saying that she inspires him everyday. 

In the adoring Instagram post, the couple cosied up for a selfie in a car, which Thom captioned: ‘Thank you for inspiring me everyday’ alongside a red love heart emoji and ‘#happyinternationalwomensday’.

Proving the feeling was mutual, Nicole reposted the shot and replied: ‘I’m so grateful for you.’

Thom has remained relatively tight-lipped about his blossoming relationship with the Pussycat Doll, but previously shared a video of Nicole in her band’s sizzling new video for their single React.

Captioning the short clip, he penned: ‘My Girl doing her thing @nicolescherzinger @pussycatdolls #React #PCD #PCDReunion’.

The couple kept their romance quiet while on The X Factor, with Nicole’s role as a judge on the show keeping her sat firmly behind the judges desk; but since the show came to an end the duo have gone public with their romance.

The retired rugby player is said to have first tried his luck at the Global Gift Gala in 2014 – back when Nicole, was going through a rocky patch with her boyfriend at the time, Lewis Hamilton.

But Thom was rebuffed according to The Sun and it wasn’t until the pair spent time together in last year’s series of The X Factor: Celebrity that his feelings were reciprocated.

‘Thom knew he’d have a lot of fun on the show and not just because of the singing’, a source told the publication.

‘He’s been after Nicole for some time and was confident that spending so much time in her company would give him the opportunity to woo her.

‘In the end, she couldn’t resist Thom’s charms, despite the fact that she was meant to be judging him.

The couple confirmed their romance in January when they walked the red carpet together at the Golden Globes.