Elizabeth Hurley shocked her fanbase over Easter by unveiling her romance with country singer Billy Ray Cyrus in a brow-raising Instagram post, which received a public seal of approval from her son Damian Hurley. It has now come to light that the 23-year-old played a pivotal role in bringing the pair together.

Although they shared the screen in the 2022 film Christmas in Paradise, fans hadn’t anticipated a romantic connection between them despite whispers of an on-set "spark.” However, at the time, Billy Ray was married and has since gone through two divorces. The photo Liz posted on Sunday (April 20), announcing the relationship, was reportedly taken at her sprawling sheep and alpaca farm in Herefordshire, with Damian behind the camera.

According to an insider, Damian's growing independence and departure from the home he shared with his mother paved the way for Liz's new bond with the Achy Breaky Heart singer.

An insider told the MailOnline: "The new relationship is filling a void because Damian has moved out. He's got his own place in Earl's Court [west London] so although they still see each other a lot and are really close, it's not just the two of them at home any more."

The source also claimed that Liz is basking in the attention from her new partner, who has been “love-bombing her with attention. It only really took off about six weeks ago, although he was texting her a lot before then I guess for a few months before.

"He has been writing her the most beautiful texts three or four times a day. She says they are almost like poetry. Saying how beautiful and young and sexy she is."

The insider emphasised that their relationship isn't merely for show and noted from her past romances with the likes of Shane Warne and Hugh Grant, that now Liz thinks she can be the saviour Billy Ray needs amidst his turbulent personal life.

The country singer has been embroiled in controversy involving a family dispute with his daughter Miley Cyrus and faced severe allegations of domestic abuse by his third wife Firerose - accusations he vehemently refutes.

Billy Ray was also ridiculed for his performance at Donald Trump's second inauguration. However, a separate source shared with the Sun that "There has always been a spark, but he reached out again last year when his short-lived third marriage ended.

"He has had a really hard time, but she has been there helping him turn things around. Liz has been really great for him, but her friends are cautious because of what's been said in the past about him."

Furthermore, the insider mentioned that Liz believes Billy "has turned a corner and is a changed man."