Mark Wright claims he's 'officially single' and 'not tied to anyone'
The Only Way Is Essex lothario Mark Wright is living the dream.

The 23-year-old is seeing Playboy bunny Kayla Collins - former girlfriend of Chelsea and England football star Ashley Cole.

'He was an icon to me,' says Mark. 'I grew up wanting to be just like him.

'Now I'm dating his ex. You can't argue with that.'

Mark and Kayla, both 23, first hooked up at his birthday party last month - just 24 hours after Kayla is believed to have called time on her relationship with Cheryl Cole's ex-husband Ashley.

'It's early days with Kayla,' Mark tells the Sun.

'She's a lovely girl and we're having a lot of fun.

'We were friendly when she was going out with Ashley, who I've met and is a cool guy.

'But she's not now, so we've been spending time together.

'I'm not star-struck by her - I've got more Twitter followers than her, so you know...'

Mark Wright and Kayla Collins | Pictures | Photos | New

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Esme Riley