Samantha Barks in a headdress

You must be Barking! Samantha and boyfriend Richard Fleeshman wear controversial Native American headwear for Corrie star's birthday bash

By Jason ChesterUp until now they’ve enjoyed a low-key romance, largely conducted away from the spotlight--but there was no missing Richard Fleeshman and Samantha Barks when they stepped out in Manchester on Saturday evening in contentious Native American headdresses.

The couple were making a less than subtle appearance at Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas’s 29th birthday celebration at Victoria Warehouse Hotel--and they caught the eye thanks to their feathered headwear.

Samantha, 23, teamed hers with a striking butterfly sequinned crop-top and zebra print skirt ahead of the Burning Man themed bash, while red tinted Aviators an ethnic cuff bracelet added to a rather eccentric ensemble.

The singer and actress--a former contestant on BBC talent show I’d Do Anything--rounded of the outfit with a pair of chunky white trainers, distinctive by virtue of the LED lights embedded into each sole.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Pharrell in a Headdress and Emerson Windy in a Headdress.