Love Island’s Malin Andersson moves on from violent ex by dating tattooed-faced bodyguard

Malin Andersson has moved on from her violent ex-boyfriend by dating a tattooed-faced bodyguard, MailOnline can reveal.

The Love Island star, 28, enjoyed a night out with Michael James at London restaurant Lokkum on Tuesday after confirming on Instagram there is a new man in her life. 

Malin’s new relationship with Michael, 35, who works in ‘close protection’ and has distinctive face inkings, comes after her former partner Tom Kemp, 28, was jailed for 10 months for an assault that left her ‘black and blue.’ 

‘Romance is blossoming’: Malin Andersson has moved on from her violent ex by dating a tattooed-faced bodyguard, MailOnline can reveal 

A source told MailOnline: ‘Malin and Michael have been spending time together and hope to go on more dates now they’re able to dine outside.

‘She’s really enjoying getting to know him and the easing of restrictions has come at a good time for romance to blossom. 

‘They’ve grown close by cooking together at home and are excited for the future but it’s a big step for Malin to be dating again, so she’s taking things slow.’

When asked if she has a new man on Instagram this week, Malin replied: ‘I’m dating someone at the minute so.’ 

Distinctive: Malin's boyfriend is covered in facial tattoos that include the word 'love', multiple crosses, the number 13 and a dollar sign, and he has stitching etched across his lower cheeks

Distinctive: Malin’s boyfriend is covered in facial tattoos that include the word ‘love’, multiple crosses, the number 13 and a dollar sign, and he has stitching etched across his lower cheeks 

Moving on: Michael, pictured with Malin on Friday, is her first love interest since she was left 'black and blue' by ex partner Tom Kemp, who was imprisoned for assault last year

Moving on: Michael, pictured with Malin on Friday, is her first love interest since she was left ‘black and blue’ by ex partner Tom Kemp, who was imprisoned for assault last year 

Malin’s boyfriend, who she was pictured with her arms around on Friday, is covered in facial tattoos that include the word ‘love’, multiple crosses, the number 13 and a dollar sign. 

He also has a line of stitching etched onto his lower cheeks that join to his mouth and his birth year 1986 inked onto his chin.   

The pair enjoyed a meal together on Tuesday evening at London hotspot Lokkum to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

Hinting at her newfound romance, Malin shared a quote on Instagram hours before seeing Michael, which read: ‘Have you ever met someone that was sunshine in human form?’ 

'He switched from zero to 100': In June, Malin spoke about the abuse and emotional torment she suffered while being in a relationship with Tom during 2018 (pictured 2019)

‘He switched from zero to 100’: In June, Malin spoke about the abuse and emotional torment she suffered while being in a relationship with Tom during 2018 (pictured 2019)

New romance?: When asked if she has a new man on Instagram this week, Malin remained coy but replied: 'I'm dating someone at the minute so'

New romance?: When asked if she has a new man on Instagram this week, Malin remained coy but replied: ‘I’m dating someone at the minute so’ 

Marlin’s ex was imprisoned last September after he admitted to assaulting the reality star, which left her with a broken her hand. 

Tom was released in December after three months and will serve the rest of his term on Home Detention Curfew.

In June 2020, Malin spoke about the abuse and emotional torment she suffered while being in the on/off relationship during 2018.   

She said: ‘It started with things being thrown in my face out of anger – food, bottles of water, whatever was in his hand, all out of anger. 

Horrifying: Malin has previously shared graphic images of the bruising she suffered on her social media because she hopes to encourage others in abusive relationships to seek help

Horrifying: Malin has previously shared graphic images of the bruising she suffered on her social media because she hopes to encourage others in abusive relationships to seek help

‘He switched from zero to 100 within seconds. Once they think they can do that to you, it escalates.’  

Tom was the father of Malin’s baby girl Consy, who tragically died with a heart defect in January 2019, just one month after being delivered at 33 weeks. 

Malin has previously said she felt ‘abandoned’ in her grief as she mourned the unbearable loss of her daughter while Tom continued to treat her terribly. 

On Wednesday, Malin told her 702K followers on Instagram she was in ‘deep thought’ after visiting Consy’s grave.  

Good times: Malin shared a video of Michael on Tuesday evening as they enjoyed a dinner out together at London restaurant Lokkum to celebrate a friend's birthday

Good times: Malin shared a video of Michael on Tuesday evening as they enjoyed a dinner out together at London restaurant Lokkum to celebrate a friend’s birthday 

She posted a poem, which read: ‘I never got to hold you, or bounce you on my lap. I never got to read to you, or watch you as you nap.

‘You slipped away so quickly, before I said your name. And I want the world to know, I loved you just the same.’ 

Malin met Tom in late 2017, shortly after she lost her mum, also named Consy, to breast cancer. 

She’s since had time to reflect on her relationship with Tom and says they formed a ‘trauma bond’ amid her grief and depression at the loss of her mum.

Tragic: The Love Island star has previously spoken about the abuse and emotional torment she suffered in her last relationship and the unbearable loss of her baby girl, Consy

Tragic: The Love Island star has previously spoken about the abuse and emotional torment she suffered in her last relationship and the unbearable loss of her baby girl, Consy

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