The former Spice Girls star – who has previously romanced singer Robbie Williams and British comic star David Walliams – met multi-millionaire Fabrizio Politi at a club in Italy last month just days after she split from nightclub owner Nick House.

A source said: 'It's definitely the real deal. They've really hit it off. Geri can't believe how well they get on. Fabrizio is great with her daughter.

'They spent as much time as possible with each other over Christmas and New Year.'

The couple, who were pictured having dinner in Paris last week, were seen strolling around a London park at the weekend. Fabrizio – who runs a luxury yacht-building company – was clutching Geri's two-year-old daughter Bluebell's pushchair.

As well as their trip to Paris, the tycoon has flown 36-year-old Geri to the Maldives for a romantic break.

Geri was recently seen looking at men's engagement rings at an upmarket London jewellery store.