James Haskell ‘dating newly single mum, 34’ who looks just like ex Chloe Madeley

JAMES Haskell is dating a newly single mum who looks just like his ex-wife Chloe Madeley, reports say.

It comes just over a year after the former rugby union ace, 39, announced the end of his five-year marriage to Chloe, 37.

And now, for the first time since the split, he is said to have started seeing someone new.

James has been secretly dating 34-year-old Helen Barclay for just over a year, MailOnline reports.

The pair have tried to keep their romance private, but lately have been spotted out on numerous dates, including one on Saturday night in Knightsbridge, it is claimed.

Like James, Helen - who is a mother-of-two - is also coming out of a marriage, after splitting from her husband.

A source told the outlet: "James and Helen have kept their relationship relatively low-key, enjoying dates at coffee shops and restaurants, and going for walks since the latter end of 2023.

"But recently they’ve started to see more of each other and they’re enjoying each other’s company.

"They haven’t said they’re exclusive yet but they’re certainly dating.

"They have a lot in common, especially both coming out of marriage splits.

"It’s fair to say they’ve helped each other in what has been a tough period of their lives."

They were reportedly introduced by a mutual friend.

The source added: "The relationship is still in its early stages but both James and Helen are unsure where it will end up.

"James’s work and his love of DJing means nothing is straight forward, and Helen has two kids, so it’s harder to simply down tools and visit him abroad when he’s playing in some cool nightclub overseas.

"But they’re not putting any pressure on it and are just having fun together.

"They’re exactly what they both need right now."

James and his ex-wife Chloe have stayed on good terms since their shock split.

In fact, she previously defended him after he faced bad-mouthing from fans amid their separation.

She told The Sun on Sunday: “I actually feel a bit sorry for him.

“There’s kind of like a heavy insinuation that he’s not a nice guy.

“And look, James and I went through our battles.

"But we’re co-parenting really well, and 50 per cent of that accolade is on him.

“I want him to have some of that respect from people, which I don’t see him getting.”

The ex-model, who first got together with James in 2015, admitted of their relationship: “It got to a point where it was completely miserable. It was bleak. And very hard.

“Going through a break-up is tough, but compared to staying in that ­situation, it was absolutely the right decision. James and I both feel a million times better for it.”

The daughter of telly legends ­Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan admitted that spending time with her ­parents every weekend pulled her out of her lowest point.