The Sun, 6 March 2003

By Victoria Newton

HE could have had Hollywood beauty JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT but former EastEnders pin-up PAUL NICHOLLS has plumped for LINSEY DAWN McKENZIE. Now a film star himself, Paul was pursued by gorgeous Jennifer while working on their new movie If Only. But he appears to have lowered his standards by opting for balloon-breasted glamour model Linsey — a renowned kiss & tell merchant. After a few dates with Jennifer, Paul decided he wasn’t that interested in the sexy brunette.

The Bolton-born actor, who broke millions of young hearts as troubled Joe Wicks in Albert Square, said she was “too clingy”. Jennifer shot to fame in 1997 slasher flick I Know What You Did Last Summer and also appeared in the video for ENRIQUE IGLESIAS’s No1 hit Hero. She is now one of the most desirable women in Hollywood. But Paul clearly prefers Linsey and the pair have secretly met for several cosy dates.

Paul, whose old flames include MARTINE McCUTCHEON and Merseybeat actress JOANNA TAYLOR, was seen canoodling with the busty model in the classy Tiger Tiger nightclub in Croydon, Surrey, last Friday night. They were spotted hailing a cab home together — before meeting again at London’s trendy Elysium club the next night. A clubber said: “They were dancing really close to each other and flirting like mad. “Everyone was staring at them and wondering what kind of bloke turns down Jennifer Love Hewitt? He must be mad. “Linsey drinks in Tiger Tiger a lot because she lives nearby, but everyone was gobsmacked when she walked in hand-in-hand with Paul. “They left together and waited for a black cab to pick them up. It certainly didn’t look like their night was about to end.”

Linsey told me she has been on several dates with the heart-throb and loves his company. She said: “I’ve recently broken up with someone and so has Paul. “He’s really nice, very good looking and great to talk to.”

Paul is the third EastEnders star Linsey has bagged. She also dated DEAN GAFFNEY (Robbie Jackson) and MICHAEL GRECO (Beppe di Marco), who is currently starring in the musical Chicago in the West End. Maybe Linsey is attempting to out-do her equally huge-breasted kiss ’n tell pal ALICIA DOUVALL. Both girls have had the pleasure of Mr Gaffney, while Alicia’s past conquests include rap star PUFF DADDY, Blackburn striker DWIGHT YORKE and Heart FM DJ TOBY ANSTIS.