The relationship between the Spice Girl and the comedian is said to have begun after they hit it off at the London Olympics closing ceremony, at which they both performed.

“Things are getting very serious between them – they’re a proper couple now,” a close friend of Russell told UK newspaper The Sun. “They had met several times in the past, but really got to know each other during the Olympics.

“People thought Russell was joking at the time, when he said he had a crush on Geri all over again, but it was true.”

Geri, 40, and Russell, 37, have enjoyed a number of dates, including a tour of Hampton Court Palace with Geri’s six-year-old daughter, Bluebell Madonna, over the weekend.

“They just clicked – they have so much in common,” the friend said.

Russell, who recently divorced singer Katy Perry, reportedly dumped American beauty Isabella Brewster earlier this month so he could be with the pop star.