Chris Hughes has made a major Celebs Go Dating U-turn following his ‘intense’ experience on Celebrity Big Brother.

The reality star, 32, had initially signed up to take part in the E4 dating show before entering the Big Brother house.

However, he has since made a last minute decision to turn down the offer in the wake of his CBB stay, in which he formed a very close bond with US singer JoJo Siwa, 21.

In a joint statement, both Chris’ rep and a spokesperson for Celebs Go Dating, confirmed to MailOnline that after discussions with his team, Chris had a change of heart and pulled out at the 11th hour following a ‘very intense’ three weeks in the house. 

They said: ‘Before entering Big Brother, Chris agreed to join the Celebs Go Dating agency and having his love life placed into the hands of the agents. 

‘However, after an incredible but very intense experience in Big Brother, he is taking some time to decompress. ‘

Chris Hughes has made a major Celebs Go Dating U-turn following his ‘intense’ experience on Celebrity Big Brother

However, he has since made a last minute decision to turn down the offer in the wake of his CBB stay, in which he formed a very close bond with US singer JoJo Siwa , 21

They added: ‘After some joint discussions on both sides, he decided he won’t be joining the show this year, but the door is open for the future.’

It was thought that Chris would be joining the show as a replacement for Christine McGuinness, after she dramatically quit following two weeks of filming.

Had he decided to stay, he would have joined the likes of ex Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona, former Love Island star Olivia Hawkins and S Club 7’s Jon Lee. 

Chris and Karma hitmaker JoJo’s ‘flirty friendship’ had set tongues wagging both in and out of the house, with many speculating that the two were more than just friends – despite JoJo being in a relationship at the time. 

However, they added fuel to the fire after JoJo – who said in the house stated that she no longer identified as a lesbian – dramatically dumped her partner Kath Ebbs at the CBB wrap party. 

Kath, who uses they/them pronouns, appeared to suggest they believe JoJo and Chris had ‘fallen in love’ after liking a number of TikTok comments from fans suggesting this was the case. 

The pair then spent last weekend together playing tennis, followed by an appearance on Monday’s This Morning, where they referred to each other as ‘soulmates.’ 

Chris said: ‘Our friendship is, it’s hard to explain. It’s just a really strong bond. A strong friendship. You can have a soul mate friendship. I think that’s a thing.’ 

The reality star, 32, had initially signed up to take part in the E4 dating show before entering the Big Brother house

But both Chris’ and Celeb Go Dating’s rep confirmed to MailOnline that after discussions with his team, Chris had a change of heart following a ‘very intense’ three weeks in the house

Chris and JoJo’s ‘flirty friendship’ had set tongues wagging, with many speculating that the two were more than just friends – despite JoJo being in a relationship at the time

However, they added fuel to the fire after JoJo – who said in the house stated that she no longer identified as a lesbian – dramatically dumped her partner Kath Ebbs at the CBB wrap party

The pair then spent last weekend together playing tennis, followed by an appearance on Monday’s This Morning [pictured], where they referred to each other as ‘soulmates’

Chris said: ‘Our friendship is, it’s hard to explain. It’s just a really strong bond. A strong friendship. You can have a soul mate friendship. I think that’s a thing’

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE Chris Hughes turns down Celebs Go Dating after bosses tried to nab him following bond with JoJo Siwa

Host Ben Shephard asked JoJo if she wanted anything more from her friendship with Chris, which she replied: ‘Look, he’s a great guy. It’s platonic. We have a lot of fun together. I don’t know the future, whatever life does, it will do.’ 

Meanwhile, Chris and JoJo have been using a secret code to say ‘I love you’ following their exit from the Celebrity Big Brother house, fans have claimed.

The pair raised eyebrows with their very close bond during their time on the reality show, before spending the first weekend after their exit enjoying ‘Sunday mᴀssages’ and walks in the park.

The Dance Moms star then headed back to Los Angeles on Monday night to reunite with her mother Jessalyn following her memorable visit to the UK.

But viewers have suggested JoJo and Chris’s time in the iconic house was enough for them to form their own special code to communicate their feelings for one another.

Responding to a TikTok posted by This Morning, in which the duo were asked who they would choose to spend a day with in the Big Brother House, many fans noticed they both have a persistent habit of tapping each other twice.

Meanwhile, Chris and JoJo have been using a secret code to say ‘I love you’ following their exit from the Celebrity Big Brother house, fans have claimed 

With fans convinced it had a hidden meaning, comments included: ‘Does anyone else think that them double tapping each other is code to say I love you? They do it a lot’;

‘The two little taps they gave each other at the end!!! Bet they’re code for ‘love you”;

‘lol there’s a lot of tapping going on’; ‘You are on to something.’;

‘I thought I was the only one who realised those constant taps, like some secret code’; ‘It’s defo code.’;

‘Omg and the last one with his index is like clearly intentioned to be twice’; ‘Just watched that back and it’s 100% code for love you’;