Lewis Burton is "grateful" for Lottie Tomlinson

Lewis, 28, posted a snap of them cuddling on an airport runway beside a private jet and captioned the picture "grateful".

Lewis and Lottie, the sister of One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, were first linked in July and their relationship was later confirmed when they were spotted on a romantic holiday together in Ibiza.

Lottie - whose mother Johannah Deakin died from leukaemia in 2016 and sister Felicite passed away in 2019 following an accidental overdose - is said to have bonded with Lewis over their shared grief.

An insider previously told MailOnline: "They have been meeting up in secret for weeks but their newfound friendship hasn’t gone unnoticed by mutual pals. Not all of Caroline’s friends are happy with how the situation appears to be developing but can understand that both Lottie and Lewis have been there for each other as a shoulder to cry on."

Lewis was still dating Caroline at the time of her death, however, the pair were not permitted to have contact with each other since December 2019, due to her bail conditions over charges of an alleged assault on him.

Caroline had denied the charges against her, and Lewis had called for them to be dropped.

Following her death, he wrote on Instagram: "My heart is broken we had something so special.

"I am so lost for words I am in so much pain I miss you so much I know you felt safe with me you always said I don’t think about anything else when I am with you and I was not allowed to be there this time I kept asking and asking.

"I will be your voice baby I promise I will ask all the questions you wanted and I will get all the answers nothing will bring you back but I will try make you proud everyday. I love you with all my heart."