Opik inspired by his Cheeky Girl

And the new love in the 41-year-old Welsh Liberal Democrat leader's life said today her relationship with the flamboyant politician was "love at first sight".

Mr Opik joined Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates to entertain residents at the Cartref Dyfi home in Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, prompting comparisons with new girlfriend Gabriela Irimia, who forms the Cheeky Girls with her twin sister, Monica.

And the 24-year-old pop star told GMTV this morning she was very happy and looking for a long relationship with Mr Opik, who recently ended his engagement to TV weather presenter Sian Lloyd.

Romanian Gabriela said: "Everything is true - all I can say is it was love at first sight."

"We were talking for two hours and the time flew," she said. "Our first date was to the Science Museum - very romantic actually. I found it quite interesting to have a first date there."

Flanked on the GMTV sofa by Monica and mother Margit, Gabriela said the MP was "smart, intelligent, attentive and he always buys all three of us chocolate".

She insisted: "We did know each other for two months, but we didn't actually go out together until two weeks ago.

"It was very platonic at the beginning, we had long chats on the phone but we didn't meet very often."

Of Mr Opik's six-year relationship with Ms Lloyd, she said: "I don't know Sian, I only saw her on the TV, she's a very attractive woman.

"I can understand her situation because everybody who came out of a really long relationship would be hurt, but I'm sure she will be happy." Mr Opik, the Lib Dem spokesman on Wales and Northern Ireland, tipped by some as a future party leader, has also won the approval of the Cheeky Girls' mother.

Margit Irimia, who is also the duo's manager, said Mr Opik had been "a little bit scared of Cheeky mum" when he visited the family home, but he was "a very nice person" and had won the approval of their dog, Rocky.

Monica said: "I'm so happy for my sister, she's never been so much in love."

By Mike Sivier