How They Met: Alexandra Burke and Darren Randolph's romance

Alexandra Burke and Ireland goalie Darren Randolph were loved up on Sunday as they celebrated their engagement but the couple hasn't always been 'best friends'.

Alexandra had sworn off football players right before she met Darren after her relationship with Rotherham United's Angus MacDonald ended in October 2020. However, when the Bray man came onto the scene, none of that mattered anymore.

Despite insisting on taking things slow, Alexandra soon fell in love with Darren and the rest is history.

The star now gushes over her partner, telling the Loose Women panel how sweet he is to her. 'I once cried to him on the phone and he got in the car and came home and cooked me dinner before going back to work' she recalled.

So, how did the sweet romance happen...

Alexandra and Darren are notoriously private and have never disclosed where they first met but seeing as it was during Covid-19 restrictions, the couple likely met online.

They began dating in April 2021, when Alexandra was 32 and Darren was 34. The hitmaker insisted on taking things slow, having previously had her heart broken just nine months before.

Fortunately for the singer, between the restrictions and the pair's busy work schedules, this was made easy as they found it difficult to see each other. Alexandra was busy rehearsing for the West End show Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

When they did get to meet up, the X Factor winner spent time helping the Bray man redecorate his home in Brentwood, Essex.

The pair officially announced their relationship when Darren shared a snap of the pair in the back of a car to social media, as they headed on a date night. They enjoyed a romantic meal at the high-end Japanese restaurant Roka in London, and have been together ever since.

The couple welcomed their first baby into the world in July of 2022. They then had a second child 14 months later in September 2023.

The parents have been extremely private about their little ones and have never revealed their names, pictures or even gender. Alexandra returned to work two months after having both babies inspired by her own mum who did the same.

One thing Alexandra has shared is that she is eager to become a mum for a third time.

She told Loose Women in July: 'I'm so desperate for another baby. I would take more time off if I had a third. I don't regret anything but after that first few months, they're basically off the college. So I get why people want more time.'

Darren has recently had to move out of their family home but it is not as it seems, the pair is very loved up!

The football player had to move cities after he transferred to Bournemouth. Alexandra has admitted that the family only get to see him twice weekly now.

My partner just moved away to Bournemouth bless him, so he isn't really here. It makes things really tricky for me, but we make it work', she told the MailOnline.

'It isn't terrible because it's only two hours away and I love Bournemouth and where he's staying. It would be worse if he was five hours away.'

The soon-to-be bride explained that despite the difficulty she is willing to do it to support her beau. 'We make it work and it's not forever and all I care about is supporting his career and standing by him when he makes these decisions.' It's all very sweet.

After three years of dating, the couple got engaged on Sunday 29th September 2024.

Darren got down on one knee in the Rosewood Hotel in London and went all out for the occasion, decorating the place with hundreds of roses before he asked Alexandra to marry him.

Alexandra shared a video of the special proposal, writing: 'Here's to us forever! I can’t believe I get to marry my best friend/ Bring on the Burke-Randolph wedding. I can't wait to call you my husband.'

How sweet. We can't wait to see the wedding pics.