'He's dead against it': Sam Faiers' beau Paul Knightley is reluctant to star in new reality show following controversial kiss with mum

He raised a few eyebrows following an awkward kiss on the lips with his mother Gaynor on girlfriend Sam Faiers' reality show The Baby Diaries.

So perhaps it's no surprise that Paul Knightley is reluctant to appear on the former TOWIE star's new TV project The Mummy Diaries.

A source said Paul is refusing to take part in the show following criticism of the affectionate moment in the one-off special earlier this year.

The insider told The Sun: 'At the moment he is dead against taking part but bosses are still hoping he can be persuaded to make a few appearances to whip up some interest.'

The Mummy Diaries is expected to hit screens later this year and will document 25-year-old Sam's journey into motherhood and the first chapter of the life of her baby Paul Jr, born in December.

The show also plans to show his first family holiday in Spain, his christening and his first word.

Paul made his TV debut on The Baby Diaries back in February, and his appearance immediately divided fans, with some branding him 'controlling' and a 'man child'.

He was criticised for refusing to move in with Sam when she was six months pregnant, or cook for himself, asking Sam to make him beans on toast when she was breastfeeding.

Sam was quick to defend her love interest by taking to social media to ask people to stop giving him a hard time.