Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley arrive at the 2011 National Movie Awards held at Wembley Arena on 11th May 2011 (Pic: Getty Images)

Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley arrive at the 2011 National Movie Awards held at Wembley Arena on 11th May 2011 (Pic: Getty Images)

Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley have announced their engagement during their holiday in California.

The Chelsea footballer met TV presenter Christine at the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards in October 2009.

Love blossomed, and the pair returned to the Awards last year as a couple.

Christine told us: "Tonight is particularly special for Frank and I as it's here where it all began for us, this time last year. They hold fantastic memories for us."

After that first meeting, Frank and Christine went on a string of dates in the months that followed, with Christine also spotted in the stands at Chelsea games.

In January 2010 the couple were photographed together for the first time, after a romantic lunch in Belfast, where Christine's parents live.

She confirmed they were dating later that month as she prepared to cross the English channel on water skis for Sport Relief.

She admitted: "It is early days, so we are trying to be low key. But I am very happy."

And Frank joined her on media outings as she promoted the challenge in March, although he kept to the background.

By May she was one of the team, joining Chelsea's Premier League and FA Cup celebrations, first on the dance floor in Whisky Mist, then complete with Blues cap and scarf on the open-top bus parade.

And their romance meant reuniting with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid was not an option for Frank, as he told friends he felt the relationship was too important to risk.

Christine at the 2009 Pride of Britain Awards, where she met Frank

Frank drives away in April 2010 after dinner with Christine and her mum at Italian rerestaurant Carpaccio. They had earlier been in the crowd for Chelsea's 1-0 win over Bolton

Christine joined celebrations of Chelsea's Double win

Christine was in South Africa to support Frank and his England team mates at last year's World Cup, where they lost to Germany in the last 16

Christine joined the England WAGs last summer to cheer on their men at the World Cup in South Africa.

And she joined the despair, holding her head in her hands after leaping up to celebrate Frank's 'equaliser' against Germany which was disallowed by the officials.

Lamps and his team mates eventually lost 4-1, meaning an early return home.

But it meant the footballers were able to head off on their holidays before the new season started - with Frank and Christine choosing a romantic holiday in Sardinia.

After England's World Cup exit, Frank and Christine enjoyed a romantic break in Sardinia in July 1010

Splashing around in Sardinia

Christine and Frank watch Chelsea vs Blackpool with Frank's dad on 19 September 2010

Christine switched from working an early evening slot on The One Show to early morning stints on ITV's Daybreak last September.

But she says the crack of dawn starts fit in perfectly with her other half's schedule.

She said: "It works out brilliantly. I sleep after the show when Frank is training. He's not back till 2.30pm and by then I am ready to live a bit."

The couple applaud at the 2010 Pride of Britain Awards a year on from meeting at the event

Christine talks about the Pride of Britain Awards

At the National Television Awards 2011 on 26 January 2011

Frank and Christine arrive at the 2011 National Movie Awards held at Wembley Arena on 11th May

Host Christine's choice of white lace on the red carpet at the National Movie Awards added to hints an engagement could be in the air. 

And the Belfast-born star, who found success on The One Show, admitted she felt like she had hit the jackpot with her man - and would love to have kids with Frank one day.

Last week bookies were offering 1-2 the couple would announce their engagement this year - so there may be a few punters raising an extra toast to the happy couple.