Damian Hurley has given a sweet glimpse into his close relationship with former stepfather Arun Nayar, affectionately calling him 'daddyooo' in a heartfelt birthday tribute. The 24-year-old model and filmmaker made it clear that their bond remains as strong as ever, despite Nayar's marriage to his mother, Elizabeth Hurley, having ended more than 15 years ago.
'Happy birthday daddyooo! couldn't wish for a better father. my favourite year with you so far,' Damian wrote in his touching message to Arun. The affectionate words caught the attention of Reddit users, who praised the pair's enduring connection and celebrated the businessman for continuing to play such an important role in Damian's life.
The tribute also comes as Elizabeth's relationship with country singer Billy Ray Cyrus continues to attract attention, with the couple recently revealing plans to take another step in their romance.
Damian Hurley Maintains Close Bond With Arun Nayar
Although Arun is no longer married to Elizabeth, his relationship with Damian has endured long after their separation. The businessman became part of Damian's life when he was very young, with the family moving to a 400-acre organic farm in Barnsley, Gloucestershire, when the model was around five.
Damian has never shied away from acknowledging Arun's importance to him, continuing to refer to him as his dad despite the end of his mother's marriage. Elizabeth and Arun married in 2007, but their relationship came to an end in 2010, with their divorce finalised in 2011.
Their continued closeness was also evident on 8 May 2024, when Arun joined Elizabeth and Hugh Grant at the London premiere of Damian's directorial debut, Strictly Confidential. The appearance offered another reminder that the family connections had not simply disappeared following the former couple's split.
Damian also spoke fondly about his childhood with Arun in a 19 February 2026, interview with The Standard. Recalling their move to the countryside when he was five, he described the experience as transformative for himself, his mother and his 'very sweet dad'.
Reddit Users Praise Damian's Relationship With Arun
The birthday tribute prompted an enthusiastic response in Reddit's r/popculturechat community, where users were particularly taken with Damian's affectionate message. One commenter received more than 1,100 upvotes for writing, 'He's so pretty he looks unreal,' while others focused on the touching relationship between Damian and his stepfather.
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Others praised Arun for remaining present in Damian's life even after his marriage to Elizabeth ended. One user described it as lovely to see a stepparent maintain such a meaningful connection with a child after a separation.
Damian's biological father was the late American businessman and film producer Steve Bing, who died in 2020. However, the model's relationship with Arun has remained a prominent part of his family life.
Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus's Romance
Meanwhile, Elizabeth has been enjoying a new chapter with Billy Ray, whom she began dating publicly in April 2025. The pair first met while filming the 2022 holiday movie Christmas in Paradise before reconnecting several years later.
The actress recently revealed that she and the 'Achy Breaky Heart' singer, 65, plan to live together in Los Angeles while she films the upcoming second season of The 'Burbs. Speaking on the Off Air with Jane and Fi podcast, Elizabeth confirmed, 'Yeah, we're going to live together out there.'
Damian, for his part, has previously spoken warmly about his mother's boyfriend. In his February interview with The Standard, he described Billy Ray as 'a very sweet boyfriend who I adore', making clear that the country singer has also earned his approval.
While Elizabeth's romance continues to make headlines, Damian's birthday message offered a reminder that his bond with Arun remains firmly intact. For the model, the end of his mother's marriage did not mean the end of his relationship with the man he continues to call Dad.
