Joan Smalls and Henry Junior Chalhoub (Couple)

Joan Smalls appears to have confirmed she is dating Henry Junior Chalhoub - a year after the pair were presumed to be 'just friends'.

Last August, they were snapped on a luxury yacht looking incredibly cosy, but it was said their relationship was platonic.

But on Thursday they stepped out in Portofino, Italy holding hands and enjoying a romantic stroll, seemingly clarifying their romantic status.

Last summer, Joan was seen cuddling up to Henry on board the yacht in Ibiza, while they partied with the likes of her fellow Victoria's Secret stars Doutzen Kroes, Candice Swanepoel and Shanina Shaik.

They looked incredibly smitten as they reclined in the sunshine of the deck, before hugging against the railings and posing for tactile snaps.

Joan had been dating Modellounge founder Bernard Smith since 2011 - however they had not been pictured together since earlier in 2019.

Seen in Miami together in January 2019, things looked to be going strong between Joan and Bernard - with her posing for beach snaps while he played photographer.

They were seen cuddling up on a sun-lounger people-watching together, looking very at ease.

They briefly split at the start of their relationship, but Bernard was able to win back her heart and the pair had been together since.

It appears that somewhere in early 2019, the couple called it quits.

MailOnline has approached a rep for comment.