James Acaster's famous ex-girlfriend is a comedian you'll definitely recognise

James Acaster has won the nation's heart with his appearance on the latest season of The Celebrity Traitors, officially cementing his status as the internet's newest boyfriend – a moniker previously bestowed upon the likes of Paul Mescal, Jacob Elordi and Pedro Pascal.

Unsurprisingly, interest in James' love life has soared – especially surrounding his past relationship with comedian and actress Louise Ford, who is now in a relationship with comedy legend Rowan Atkinson.

But did you know that Louise isn't the only famous face James has dated? 

The 41-year-old was previously in a relationship with comedian and actress Rose Matafeo. Find out more about their relationship below.

Who is Rose Matafeo?

Rose Matafeo, 34, is a New Zealand comedian, perhaps best known for her acclaimed BBC comedy series, Starstruck. 

She's also known for her work on the New Zealand late-night comedy sketch show Funny Girls, and for winning 2018's Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for her show Horndog.

Her other TV credits include the E4 series Dead Pixels and the New Zealand comedy Golden Boys. She has also appeared on various panel and game shows, including Big Fat Quiz of the Year, Richard Osman's House of Games, and Channel 4's Taskmaster. 

James Acaster's relationship with Rose Matafeo

James and Rose first met on the New Zealand comedy circuit in 2014. They navigated a long-distance relationship until Rose moved to London in 2015 to join him.  

After the pair split in 2017, James referenced their breakup in his 2019 memoir Perfect Sound Whatever, in which he disguised Rose with the pseudonym 'Becky With the Good Hair'.

In the book, James opened up about how their breakup, alongside struggles with his agent, led to a year-long breakdown. 

When asked about James referencing their relationship in his work, Rose told The Guardian: "Don't date comedians."

The pair seemingly ended on good terms, however, as Rose made a guest appearance on an episode of James' comedy panel show, Hypothetical – which he co-hosted with Josh Widdicombe – in 2019.

They also appeared on stage together, alongside Brett Goldstein and Seth Meyers, at Comedians in Conversation: Comedy Specials FYC in Los Angeles last year. 

Rose Matafeo's love life

Rose tends to keep her love life out of the spotlight, we do know that she previously dated New Zealand comedian and TV host, Guy Williams. 

Guy, 39, is best known for co-hosting the breakfast radio show The Jono Project, New Zealand Today and for narrating Come Dine with Me New Zealand.

Sharing her thoughts on modern dating during an interview with the BBC in 2021, Rose said love and relationships are "a lot less straightforward".

"Part of making a relationship work is compromise and I think the idea of compromise in relationships is something that we lack in my generation," she said. "[We're] kind of looking for the perfect person."

During her 2021 interview with The Guardian, Rose shared her concerns that her "kooky, weird, extra" online brand might be repelling men. 

"Either I'm going to be like an MGM starlet – get married five times, it will be a bit of a laugh – or I will get pregnant, by accident, with someone I barely know," she said. "We'll get through it. They'll be a great co-parent. We definitely won't end up together."