You might have noticed that Nicky has a soft spot for Liam. Maybe not so much a soft spot, rather a huge spongy depression. You get the picture.

But what about the object of Nicky's affection, Liam? He's shared a bed with her a few times. And been spotted stroking her hair, play-fighting and snatching the odd cuddle. Looking at him, you'd think the love was anything but unrequited. But you'd be wrong.

"I've had so many scratches off that bloody Nicky, she's beginning to get on my bloody nerves," he told Big Bro in the Diary Room earlier this morning.

"But she's your missus," pointed out Brian, who was squeezed on the chair beside him.

"No she's not!" corrected Liam.

"She thinks she's your missus," laughed Brian, administering an elbow into Liam's ribs.

"Well she can think on!" came the reply. "All right. Cards on the table. I've had a bit of a flirt with a couple of the lasses in here. But there's nowt to it."

"Resident House stud," said Brian, pointing at bare-chested Liam.

"I'm just enjoying my time with my pals. And getting scratched!"

"She's doing it cos she wants some Liam love," chuckled Brian.


"It might look like I'm getting closer and closer, as if there's something gonna happen. But it's got to this stage and there's nothing ever gonna happen. So I'm keeping it at arm's length cos I don't want it to." OK Liam. We hear you. "But at the same time a bit of female company and a bit of contact is a nice thing." Make your mind up, man.

"As long as you're honest with each other..." warned Carole, spotting a potential problem.

"There's a flirt on. It's nice," he said.

"Well don't lead each other on," said Carole.

"I'll try not to," he replied.

But was it too late?