Fans have been sent into a frenzy after rumours of the relationship began (Picture: Getty)

Following the rumours that Ariana Grande is dating her Wicked co-star, many fans have come to the shocking realisation of how they recognise him.

It was announced on Monday that the Thank U, Next singer, 30, reportedly split from her husband, Dalton Gomez, after two years of marriage.

Rumours then began circulating that the star is dating Tony Award-nominated actor and singer Ethan Slater, whom she is appearing alongside in the film adaptation of West End hit Wicked.

Slater, 31, has starred in a number of stage productions and has hit TV screens with roles in Law & Order and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, but many fans recognise him for his role as SpongeBob Squarepants in the musical adaptation of the animated show.

Yep, Ariana Grande is said to be dating SpongeBob Squarepants, and fans can’t wrap their heads around it.

Following news of the new couple, fans on social media have been sent into meltdown as they realised the pop sensation has been linked to the face of the Goofy Goober himself.

Grande has been linked to Wicked co-star Slater since splitting from his husband (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Fans have been quick to point out that the Broadway star previously appeared as SpongeBob SquarePants in the stage adaptation on the cartoon (Picture: Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)

‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN ARIANA GRANDE IS DATING THE GUY WHO PLAYED SPONGEBOB IN THE MUSICAL WHAT? 😭’ one posted, sounding mildly traumatised.

‘Ariana Grande is dating Sponge Bob. I’m obsessed 🧽,’ another added, while others simply shared videos of Slater in character as the hilarious crustacean to really hammer home how bizarre the news is.

One user questioned if they were still on this Earth, writing: ‘Ariana Grande is dating SpongeBob SquarePants. What timeline am I in bro 😭’

Others were confused by the news for a different reason, believing that Grande was in fact dating Tom Kenny, the man behind the voice of the animated character.

‘I forgot there was a SpongeBob musical so I got very confused at everyone saying Ariana grande was “dating SpongeBob” because I was thinking of this man,’ one person shared alongside a picture of the actor.

Grande tied the knot with the real estate broker Dalton, 27, in May 2021, after dating for just over a year.

According to reports, the couple decided to end their marriage after initially separating in January, with the Grammy-winner pictured without her wedding ring while attending the Wimbledon men’s final.

It has been said the couple were working through their problems while Grande was in London filming for Wicked, however, TMZ reported that they couldn’t save their marriage and have walked away from the relationship while remaining close friends.

The pair have not yet spoken out publicly about the reports.

Grande and Gomez allegedly split earlier this year (Picture: Instagram)

Slater and his wife Lily Jay have reportedly split (Picture: Dominik Bindl/WireImage)

‘They came to the decision together,’ a source also told PageSix. ‘They were having problems before January, but they want to remain best friends.

‘They’ve been really good friends throughout the entire process, and their friends and families have been trying to protect them.’

Amid the news they are dating, it was revealed Slater had separated from his wife Lily Jay, whom he began dating in 2012 and married in 2018.

A source told People: ‘Ariana and Dalton separated in January. She and Ethan recently began dating, and he is separated from his wife.’

The former couple welcomed their first son, Ezra, in August 2022.

Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater for comment.

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