Francesca Ridella, the girlfriend of Big Brother UK star Zelah Glasson, is speaking out to address romance rumors emerging from the iconic house. Despite speculation about Zelah’s connections with fellow housemates, Francesca has taken to social media to set the record straight, confirming their relationship remains strong and that trust is not an issue.
Francesca Sets the Record Straight
As rumors swirled about a potential connection between Zelah and fellow housemate Feyisola Akintoye, Francesca Ridella did not hesitate to address the speculation directly. The rumors ignited after a clip aired on the spin-off show Late & Live, where Feyisola confessed she “adored” Zelah and would “100 percent” pursue something with him if he were single.
Using her TikTok platform, Francesca clearly responded to concerned fans. When asked if she was worried about Feyisola’s crush, she stated simply:
“Nope, Zelah and Feyisola are just friends. Zelah is not single.”
She further reinforced the strength of their relationship and the boundaries they have set, telling viewers, “Zelah has not crossed any of our boundaries, so can we all please chill.” Her calm and public handling of the situation shifted the conversation from rumor to reassurance, demonstrating her confidence in their partnership.
The “Green Light” Conversation Causes Confusion
The plot thickened during the October 27 episode of the show, when housemate Sam revealed a private conversation that left viewers and fellow contestants questioning the nature of Zelah’s relationship boundaries.
Speaking in the Diary Room, Sam recounted a discussion where Zelah apparently made a surprising statement about his girlfriend’s openness. Sam shared:
“He said, ‘No but it’s fine because my girlfriend’s really open, really trustworthy, she understands. And she said if I had a crush on anybody in the house I could explore that’.”
This “green light” comment caused visible confusion between Sam and housemate Nancy. Sam admitted he was left trying to “feel out” what Zelah’s statement truly meant for their dynamic inside the house. This conversation notably fueled speculation of a potential romance brewing between Sam and Zelah, adding another layer to the ongoing rumors.
Zelah Defines His Relationship Boundaries
In earlier scenes, Zelah had opened up to housemates Nancy, Sam, and Caroline about his sexuality, revealing he is bisexual. He explained, “I’ve only really been with women so it’s something I haven’t really properly explored.” When asked if he would explore things with a man if he weren’t in a relationship, he responded, “I’d probably explore.”
However, he was very clear to contextualize this within his current commitment, stating, “I should put it out there though that I am in a monogamous relationship at the moment.” He elaborated further on the understanding he has with Francesca, clarifying that while having a crush might be acceptable, acting on it is not.
“We’re in that kind of relationship where if I did feel a certain way, she even said ‘If you have a crush on someone in the house that’s ok’. Obviously I can’t act on it because we have boundaries, I would not act on it in any sense of the word, that would be cheating.”
Francesca Responds to Flirty Banter with Sam
Following the episode that highlighted Zelah’s close bond with Sam, Francesca once again found herself responding to fans online. She posted a video on TikTok captioned, “I honestly can’t catch a break,” alongside a laughing emoji. On the video, she wrote: “When Sam and Nancy think Zelah was dropping hints when he said he was bisexual.”
In the comments, she directly addressed the concerns about flirtatious behavior, demonstrating her comfort with the situation. She wrote, “Not really, I’m ok with flirty banter I know that different people have different boundaries and that’s ok.” In another comment, she firmly noted, “He doesn’t need a pass for flirty banter.” Her responses highlight her security in the relationship and her understanding of the unique environment of the Big Brother house.
Fan Reactions and Support
The public nature of Zelah’s interactions and Francesca’s responses have sparked a divided reaction among fans of the show.
Some viewers expressed concern for Francesca, with one commenting, “Girl… you are a better woman than me. My boundaries and Insecurities been pushed to the LIMITS.” Another wrote, “Girl you’re allowed to be upset, we promise.” A third fan drew a comparison to a past reality TV couple, noting, “This situation feels very Chris and Jojo. Just hope you don’t get hurt.”
However, many others have shown strong support for the couple and how they are handling the pressure. One fan penned, “Ugh you and Zelah’s relationship is so beautiful.” Another added, “Girl you’re the BLUEPRINT – exposing more ppl to what confidence in a relationship looks like.” Francesca herself pushed back against the doubters, reiterating that “Different people have different boundaries.”
Zelah Faces Nomination for Eviction
Amid the personal drama, Zelah’s journey in the Big Brother house took a dramatic turn during the latest nominations. Following a round of face-to-face nominations, housemates Farida, Richard, and Tate initially received the most votes, putting them at risk for a double eviction.
However, housemate Caroline had the power to use a “Save and Replace” token. She chose to save Tate and replace him with Zelah, explaining her decision by saying she wanted to pick somebody who wouldn’t actually leave the house. She stated of Zelah, “you’re the God in this house. I think you’ll win. I can’t pick somebody who I think will go out.” This twist means Zelah is now one of the three housemates facing the public vote, with the two with the fewest “save” votes being evicted.
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Credits: Mirror, OK! Magazine, Bristol Live
