The newly single Stamos still is a work in progress

The love of his life dumped him and now he’s once again lost in a world of one-night stands with thong-wearing models with fake tans and butterfly tattoos on the smalls of their backs.

That’s Jake Phillips, the character John Stamos plays in his new comedy series, “Jake in Progress,” which premieres tonight at 9 on ABC before moving to its regular time slot Thursday at 8 p.m.

The real Stamos, divorced as of March 1 from model/actress Rebecca Romijn after six years of marriage, is looking for something a bit more fulfilling.

“(Our) relationship was really fun,” says Stamos, 41. “We had a great time. Maybe too much fun. There was a period of time where I kind of lost myself a little bit.”

He also lost the Santa Monica Mountains ranch house he shared with Romijn. Since their split a year ago, Stamos has lived in three different homes, including a Malibu beach house and his current bachelor pad in the Hollywood Hills – where, a few days before, he bit into some glass-laced guacamole while entertaining a date.

“Blood was gushing out,” he remembers. His main concern: that he wouldn’t get a good-night kiss.

Dating is a subject Stamos has mastered ever since he was 18 and appeared on the daytime soap opera “General Hospital.” It was widely reported that he and co-star Demi Moore were an item.

“We did hang out,” he says, “but she was married at the time.”

Just “hanging out” is also how he describes his reported relationship with his “Full House” love, Lori Loughlin, back when both were ‘80s soap stars. He now considers Loughlin among his closest friends – as he does his “nieces,” Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Stamos has proven to be a real-life “Uncle Jesse” to Mary-Kate during her eating disorder crisis. But he unwittingly played a part in Ashley’s $40 million lawsuit against the National Enquirer, by introducing her to her boyfriend, New York restaurateur Scott Sartiano.

Ashley claims she was defamed in a story alleging she was involved in a drug scandal and that Sartiano has sold drugs.

As for Mary-Kate, he reports she “looked great” and “ate more than I did” when they dined at Sartiano’s restaurant: “She ate a huge meal, then ate some of mine and ordered a huge dessert.”

Stamos admits it hasn’t been easy seeing magazine photos of Romijn out with her new beau, Jerry O’Connell.

“For that reason, I try not to look,” he says. “I accidentally saw one picture, and it looked like she was happy. And that makes me happy. I do care for her, and I do have love for her.”

Immediately after the split, Stamos said that he and Romijn were leaving their marriage as close friends, but he now admits they’ve decided to take some time apart.

“I think we’ll get there,” he says. “But we both need time to live our new lives, and that’s what we’re doing.”

The birthday bunch

Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka is 66. Actor William H. Macy is 55. Actress Dana Delaney (“China Beach”) is 49. Actress Tracy Wells (“Mr. Belvedere”) is 34. Actress Annabeth Gish (“The X-Files”) is 34. Actor Danny Masterson (“That ‘70s Show”) is 29.