A couple who describe themselves as a UK version of Tom Holland and Zendaya are not fazed by their height difference - even though he rests his head on her when they cuddle. Dionne Threadgill set out to prove that size doesn't matter when she began dating her long-term boyfriend Kristian Atkinson.
The 23-year-old, who lives in Durham, County Durham, only found out her partner was shorter than her on their first date - believing she was 'standing on a hill' until learning he was 5ft 5in. Dionne said the height difference 'doesn't bother' the pair - and even has an endearing nickname for her smaller significant other: my little one.
She says that when they cuddle Kristian rests his head on her chest due to his shorter size and she will help retrieve things from the top shelf when they're out shopping. And Dionne said her 26-year-old partner 'loves' the fact he's dating a taller woman - despite social media users describing the couple as 'Ant and Dec' online.
The pair, who have been together three years, said the height difference does have its benefits - with Dionne describing her relationship as like the 'North East version of Tom Holland and Zendaya' who is two inches taller than her British beau.
Dionne, who is 5ft 8in, said women should be giving 'short kings' a chance - insisting that it's personality which counts the most. Dionne, who works in customer service, said: "I actually feel a bit catfished - I didn't know he was a smaller one (when we first met). I couldn't tell by any of his photos. Then he picked me up on our first date and I realised.
"He got out the car and I thought 'oh maybe I'm standing on a hill'. I mentioned it straight away and said 'oh you're a bit small' and he just said 'yeah'.
"I think he thought that it was going to be a deal-breaker but I wasn't bothered. I always forget about it. I'd never been with someone smaller than me before but I didn't think much about it. I thought it'll be fine.
"I only really notice it when we're both stood up and trying to take a photo then it can prove a bit awkward. I bully him all the time about it just jokingly. He's not offended by it - he's had it his whole life.
"He said he loves dating a woman taller than him. The height difference is definitely worse when I'm in heels. In the shops, it'll be me reaching for the top shelf in the aisle. We tend to just walk next to each other when I'm in heels because holding hands can be hard.
"When I'm in heels it does feel a bit like I'm taking my younger brother on a day out. I'm about a whole head taller (in heels). If we cuddle, his head is on my chest."
After sharing a holiday snap on her and Kristian on TikTok, social media users took to the comment section to have their say on the couple's height difference. One person described them as 'Ant and Dec'.
Another said: "I love that he's still confident enough to let you wear heels, a true king." A third added: "You've given me the green light to give the short king a real chance."
Dionne said the backlash is comical to the couple - who don't understand the fascination with height gap relationships. Dionne said: "I did see someone in the comments calling us Ant and Dec and I did start laughing at that one. I could see the comparison. I do get comments like 'wouldn't you like to be with someone taller' but I just brush them off. They're not the one in the relationship. I don't really understand why people are so bothered about it. We really don't notice it.
"I would like to think we're like Tom Holland and Zendaya - they don't get any hatred for their height difference. We're like the North East version. I say to any girl worried about a guy's height, just go for it. Their height doesn't affect their personality in any sort of way. I think short men are definitely unfairly treated at times. Girls can be very shallow."
'Short king' Kristian agrees smaller men get a 'hard time' - insisting he's not bothered by the height difference in his relationship. Kristian, a communications engineer, said: "I don't think it affects me really unless people bring it up. It doesn't bother me in the slightest bit that she's taller than me.
"If she wants to wear heels, she can wear heels. I'm not bothered. She bends down in the pictures. I feel secure in my height. I'm in the military so we all poke fun at each other. I'm used to it. I don't care really.
"I never even think about our height difference. I don't take offence to any height comments. Shorter guys get a hard time but I put up with it quite well - you can't change it."
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