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.