SHOCKING New Romance

THE SCANDAL-PLAGUED COUNTRY SINGER'S UNLIKELY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE BRITISH BOMBSHELL IS RAISING EYEBROWS.

- BILLY RAY CYRUS & ELIZABETH HURLEY

THEY'D been dropping Easter eggs for weeks. When Elizabeth Hurley marked son Damian's 23rd birthday on April 4 with a celebratory Instagram post, Billy Ray Cyrus responded with a “Happy Birthday D Man!” On April 8, she dropped a heart emoji on the country star's post teasing new music, then a day later used his song “She's Not Cryin' Anymore” in a sexy vacation clip of herself blowing a kiss to the camera in the Maldives. By April 13, Billy Ray was back in her comments — writing “Congratulations Elizabeth Bikini Goddess Hurley” alongside more heart emojis — on her Beauty Idol Award announcement.

While no one seemed to pick up on those Easter eggs, by Easter Sunday, the secret was out: The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer and the Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery actress went Insta official with a kissy pic April 20. The news stunned fans — and even other celebrities — who never saw this pairing coming. “Wait... what?” Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert wrote on Instagram, echoing the sentiments of so many others who were incredulous that the man who rose to stardom with a mullet had landed the British beauty. A source tells Star that 59-year-old Liz and the Kentucky native, 63, are reveling in catching everyone off guard. “Liz and Billy Ray both love attention,” says the source. “They're getting a huge kick out of everyone's shock.”

BIG REVEAL

“Billy Ray’s totally besotted,” shares a source, and says Liz (who shared this lovedup snapshot with him on Easter) “is nothing short of a goddess.”

HOW IT STARTED