Canal Boat Diaries star Robbie Cumming has introduced his girlfriend to viewers in a very rare admission about his personal life. The BBC and U star had his partner Lyndsey make a cameo in the final episode of series seven of the programme, when he arrived at Sowerby Bridge via a series of locks to find her standing and waiting for him.

He told viewers: “Here at the next lock, I’m going to meet my girlfriend, Lyndsey. And from here, where are my adventures going to take me? I don’t know, but it’s going to be interesting.” The pair walked along with their arms around each other as Lyndsey asked: “Where are you going next?” – but Robbie confessed he had “no idea”.

Moments after the episode aired, Robbie took to social media to go “Instagram official” with his partner.

Sharing a selfie of the pair, he wrote: “Introducing my girlfriend Lyndsey! FINALLY after last night’s cameo at the end of series 7 on Canal Boat Diaries I can now go ‘instagram official’ and share a few pics of us from not long after we finished filming earlier this year,” with a black love heart emoji.

Robbie also included photos showing them cooking together on the boat, and attending a gig, as well as holding hands as they walked down a country path.

Fans rushed to congratulate the pair, with one commenting: “One of the best endings to an already excellent series. Hope to see you both in a future series having Canal Boat adventures together.”

Another posted: “Ahhhhh I was really happy when you introduced Lyndsey last night.”

As a third echoed: “As a fan of your television show. Me and my husband love watching this is nice news. It’s so grounding and inspiring. Lovely pictures of you both and Lyndsey looks at home on boat.”