Over the years Outlander heart-throb Sam Heughan has been notoriously tight-lipped about his private life, keeping who he’s dating firmly under wraps.
But the 41-year-old Scottish actor, who plays Highland warrior Jamie Fraser on the beloved TV show, has set tongues wagging with a very public display of affection in New York.
WATCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Outlander actor Sam Heughan’s busy life
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Normally based in Glasgow, the actor has been in the US promoting the latest season of Outlander.
And the target of his PDA in New York is none other than an Aussie model, Monika Clarke, who lives and works in the Big Apple.
Sam and Monika were photographed by paparazzi in New York City on Wednesday.
The blonde actor was photographed leaning across a table to lock lips with Monika, who looked smitten.
Later Sam was photographed walking down the street with his arm around the model, the couple looking very cosy together.
Sam has previously been linked with actresses Amy Shiels, Mackenzie Mauzy and Cody Kennedy, but it’s been a while since he’s gone public with a new flame.
He’s frequently been romantically linked with his Outlander co-star, Irish actress Caitriona Balfe, given their steamy on-screen chemistry.
But “shippers” - the name given to people who want Sam and Caitriona to be together in real life - were left heartbroken when Caitriona announced her engagement to music producer Tony McGill in 2018.
Caitriona and Tony got married in 2020 and had their first child together, a boy, late last year.
So who, then, is Monika Clarke?
The 30-year-old brunette beauty is signed with Wilhelmina Models in the US but is originally from Swan Hill in Victoria.
Loading Instagram Post“Every summer I try to go back to Swan Hill to see my family,” Monika told SurfStitch in 2016.
“To be honest, there haven’t been any better beaches than the ones in Australia.
“You travel throughout our country and we just have so many beautiful beaches.”
She’s active on Instagram, where she posts glamorous modelling shots and more low-key selfies.
Loading Instagram PostIn an interview with DMARGE, Monika said she likes a man who isn’t obsessed with social media - or even on it.
“Social media is part of my job, and some men are attracted to a girl purely based on her following, which I find shallow,” she said.
“I love the idea he would know nothing about me unless he personally gets to know me.
Loading Instagram Post“One of my biggest turn-offs is a guy posting a mirror selfie in a bath towel.
“So I wouldn’t have to worry about him having done that.”
Ironically, Sam is something of an Instagram king, regularly posting sweaty gym selfies to his 3.5 million adoring followers.
Loading Instagram PostLoading Instagram PostKeen observers of the actor, who is often touted as a potential new James Bond, haven’t seen him in a committed long-term relationship for some time.
In interviews, Sam - who has also starred in films such as The Spy Who Dumped Me, Bloodshot and SAS: Red Notice - often says he is too busy with his work commitments to find true love.
Could Monika be the one?
Watch this space!