Caroline Flack sent James Jordan a private message to calm their public spat after they disagreed over ‘Love Island’ contestant Anna Vakili.
The pair became engulfed in a Twitter feud when the former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ pro described the 28-year-old Islander as a "nasty piece of work" earlier this month, but the ‘Love Island’ presenter shot to her defence, and James has now revealed Caroline spoke to him privately about the matter.
Speaking at the Celebrity Cup golf tournament at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales – where he was representing Team England – he said: "You know what I am actually really good friends with Caroline. We have always got on.
"She actually DMd me and she said she loved me and I said, ‘I understand you are going to protect the people.’
"I have a lot of respect for her and we have got on for many years since she did ‘Strictly’.
"But I understand she’s got a duty of care to the Islanders."
But he hasn’t changed his stance on the spat, insisting it is "a fact" that Anna "is nasty".
Speaking to The Sun Online, he added: "It’s a fact Anna is nasty. It’s not a question, it’s a fact. What I put on Twitter is factual."
James’ comments came after Anna clashed with fellow Islander Michael Griffiths earlier this month.
After watching the footage, the dancer tweeted: "Anna is one nasty piece of work
At least the mean girls don’t have so much power in the LoveIsland Villa anymore
IT’S CALLED KARMA BABY!!! It is what it is (sic)"
But Caroline replied: "She’s not nasty x
"It’s an extreme statement .. for her to come out and see … were better than that x (sic)"
James said: "But I also remember the way she was also nasty to Danny….. only commenting on what I see. I’m not that keen, sorry xxx (sic)"
Caroline wrote: "I like to protect my islanders .. Love you tho as always (sic)"
James and Caroline became pals when she triumphed in the 2014 ‘Strictly’ series.
He attended the star-studded Celebrity Cup tournament with wife Ola Jordan. Other celebrities in attendance included Mike and Zara Tindall, entrepreneur Peter Jones, boy band stars Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, Jenni Falconer, and the cast of Mrs Brown’s Boys.