Tulisa Contostavlos shares rare insight into her failed relationship with N-Dubz bandmate Fazer - as friends try desperately to find her a partner and end three years of celibacy

Tulisa Contostavlos has shared rare insight into her failed relationship with ex-boyfriend and N-Dubz bandmate Fazer following her I'm A Celeb stint.

The singer, 36, who came out as demisexual - an orientation based on emotional connection rather than physical attraction - in the jungle, found fame alongside the rapper and her cousin Dappy, and they dated from 2010 until 2012. 

Speaking on the We Need To Talk podcast, as reported by The Mirror, Tulisa described Fazer - real name Richard Rawson - as her 'safe space' and compared him to a 'safety blanket'.  

'He was the person that loved me, he was the only person that deserved it, because that is real. That's real to this day'.

'We love each other like family. It doesn't matter if it's not romantic anymore. That's my family, that's my soul family and the person that I've become doesn't want anyone in my life other than my soul family, especially not when it comes to intimacy. He's the only person, looking back that means something now.'

When asked why the pair went their separated ways Tulisa declared they were 'incompatible' despite there being 'a lot of love' between them'.

'You have two people that are so close, they're like family close, they're like friendship close and they have an attraction there and they're constantly around each other. They can't get away from each other. It's inevitable, so we just had to go through it to grow through it. But after being in a relationship we're very different human beings, very, very different, and that's really what it comes down to.' 

Fazer has since settled down with girlfriend Ashley Havelin with whom he shares four children, Ava, 11,  twins Zariah and Zaviar, 22 months, and son Zander, seven months. 

Meanwhile Tulisa's friends have revealed they are desperate for her to find a partner and put an end to her three years of celibacy, which she spoke about in the jungle.

Reflecting on her revelation, Tulisa told The Guardian: 'Having the experiences I've had, has put me so far back into my shell. I only deal with people I already know. I've just recycled ex-boyfriends for the past 10 years. A new person coming in doesn't have a chance.

'I just ask myself: 'Would I keep this person in my life, even as a friend, for the rest of time?' And if I don't have that feeling, I wouldn't want them as a lover.

'I don't think it's going to leave me an isolated and alone individual for the rest of my life. What's meant for me won't pass me by.'

But her best friend Michelle McKenna appeared to be less than convinced by the former X-Factor judge's demisexual orientation and three-year celibacy streak.

Michelle, who is in a relationship with Tulisa's friend Daniel Johnson, previously told MailOnline: 'She needs somebody in her life, that needs to be over real soon, she needs to meet a very nice gentleman. 

'She's been on her own for a while and it's definitely time she finds someone now.'

Tulisa previously dated Justin Edwards in 2010 who later leaked their sex tape online and ultimately ruined her gig as a judge on X-Factor after she felt she was being 'virtually raped' each time she appeared on the show.

She later became embroiled in a 'homewrecker' scandal in which it was alleged she started dating the former Bristol City footballer Danny Simpson while he was still with his ex-girlfriend - she and Simpson, 37, both successfully sued for defamation.

Her most recent confirmed relationship was with David King, a music producer and nephew of the singer Cher, in 2017 when the pair reportedly 'connected while collaborating in the studio'.

Her friend Michelle's comments came days before the pair had a huge bust-up in the Australian hotel they were staying at after Tulisa became the third star to be voted off I'm A Celebrity.

Upset with the way Michelle had run her Instagram account while she had been in the Jungle, Tulisa confronted her friend about her 'unprofessionalism' and subsequently left Australia five days early, foregoing her commitments with ITV and not appearing on the aftershow.

Michelle and her partner Daniel had flown out Down Under to greet Tulisa off the famous I'm A Celebrity bridge and the trio were to spend the next five days together on the Gold Coast until the final but they jetted home early under a cloud of mystery.

Tulisa and Michelle - an urban dance artist - have been best friends since the I Need You singer moved to Manchester two years ago for a 'better quality of life' and go around to each other's houses every other day.

The star bought a new-build mansion in Congleton, Cheshire, to be nearer to her best friends.