Britain's most successful modern male gymnast says The Only Way Is Essex star is the "thing missing from his puzzle"
Olympic gymnast Louis Smith isn’t getting much sleep… and it’s not just because he’s head over heels in love with his new girlfriend.
Louis says it’s insomnia that keeps him awake, rather than anything to do with Lucy Mecklenburgh.
He is our most successful male gymnast in modern times, winning a cluster of Olympic and Commonwealth medals.
And, after returning to training this year, he was the comfortable winner of the gold medal on the pommel horse at the British Gymnastics Championship in Liverpool this weekend.
For the time being, he’s set aside a flourishing TV career – he won Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, triumphed again on the Christmas special, and was a judge on BBC reality show Tumble last year.
Personally Louis is also riding high. He’s often lamented being single and admitted to feeling “lonely”.
But now he’s dating 23-year-old Lucy, the glamorous former star of ITV reality show, The Only Way Is Essex, who was a contestant on Tumble.
Breaking into his trademark smile as he speaks about the four-month romance, the 25-year-old says: “Everything’s great and I’m very happy.
“Someone to share things with was the one thing missing from my puzzle, so it’s lovely to be with Lucy.
“We’ve been seeing each other a few months, but it feels so easy and as if we’ve known each other for ages. I’ve tried to sweep her off her feet.
“She’s very driven, busy and a real planner, whereas I’m probably more laid-back because, if I look ahead too much, I get stressed and then I don’t do well. We complement each other well.”
It’s been called a showmance but Lucy, who has been linked to TV presenter Gethin Jones, The Wanted’s Max George and TOWIE co-star Mario Falcone, has also revealed the relationship is going well.
He says: “I trust Louis completely and I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way before.”
It is all evidence that Louis’s lack of sleep isn’t down to any discontent.
He says: “I’ve always suffered with my sleep. I feel like a bit of an insomniac.
"I often struggle to get to sleep before three or four in the morning, which is why I like to get up about midday whenever I can. It’s just something I’ve learned to live with.”
The restless energy which makes it difficult for him to switch off has helped to propel him to success.
As a child, Louis, who was born in Eye, Cambs, to English mother Elaine Petch and Jamaican dad Claude Smith and raised in Peterborough, was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Louis was given Ritalin pills for a period to control his ADHD, but gymnastics proved his salvation.
He says: “I found it hard to concentrate when I was young and I wasn’t the easiest kid to deal with.
"Thanks to the devotion of my mum, Elaine, who encouraged me into gymnastics as a way to channel my energy and give me discipline, I found my passion.
"From then on, there was no stopping me.
“My mum’s so important to me, she still helps look after me sometimes by coming over and cooking and helping out with my house, and it’s great that she likes Lucy and they both get on.”
Down-to-earth Louis insists he had no regrets about stepping away from sport in 2013 to enjoy life in the limelight, not least because he met Lucy on BBC gymnastics competition, Tumble, last year.
He says: “You have to take opportunities while you can. Getting into TV has been brilliant fun and I wanted to make the most of it while I could.
“I loved taking part in Strictly and the training was much harder than for the Olympics.
"I felt like I needed a hip replacement after walking around in Cuban heels. I don’t know how girls walk in six-inch heels.
But I don’t think of myself as a celebrity. I’m just little old Louis who grew up in Peterborough with his mum and brother in a council house. I’ve worked hard to get where I am.”
Louis, who still lives in his home city, adds: “It’s brilliant to have somewhere I can switch off, get away from the craziness of London and spend time with my friends and family.”
But he was looking forward to being in the spotlight at last weekend’s championships – his result would decide if he will be part of the GB squad for the world championships in Glasgow.
Louis adds: “My 100% aim is to be known for my achievements in sport, show business comes second.
“I’m confident in my ability and believe I can do well. Even though many wrote off my chances at the Commonwealth Games, I proved them wrong.
“Physically it’s harder as you get older in this sport.
"I’m competing against some kids 10 years younger than me, but the advantage is mentally you’re more mature, understand the goals and have a training focus which is harder to achieve when you’re young and easily distracted.”
Louis is equally conscientious about his image and had laser hair removal sessions at The Harley Medical Group.
He says: “I’ve never been a fan of chest hair and didn’t want to shave my chest as I know it just grows back thicker.
“I was nervous before my first treatment, but the nurse put me at ease. I’m really impressed so far.”
Last year, Louis posed almost naked for a gay mag and has been shot nude with a strategically placed glitterball.
His busy lifestyle, TV projects and a fashion line in the pipeline, haven’t stopped him pursuing his goal of inspiring youngsters to follow in his footsteps.
He has launched the Louis Smith Gymnastics Academy, a nationwide course for kids aged five to 14.
Louis says: “Sport has given me so much and I’d love to help other kids get into gymnastics.”
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