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Dermot O'Leary's wife Dee Koppang has revealed Lauren Laverne helped get them together after the couple 'kissed at her first wrap party'.
The presenter, 53, and his wife, a film producer, 47, tied the knot in 2012 and went on to welcome a son named Kasper in 2020.
The couple are usually fairly private about their family life, but in a new interview, Dee has given a rare insight into the early days of their romance.
She revealed that they first crossed paths in 1999, when Dee was doing work experience at a production company where Dermot also worked.
They briefly met in the lift before bumping into each other a year later. But it wasn't until 2002 that their romance began.
Dermot and Dee found themselves working in the same production company – she was a researcher and production co-ordinator, he was fronting a music show called Re:covered.
Dermot O'Leary's wife Dee Koppang has revealed Lauren Laverne helped get them together after the couple 'kissed at her first wrap party' (pictured in 2003)
The presenter, 53, and his wife, a film producer, 47, tied the knot in 2012 and went on to welcome a son named Kasper in 2020 (pictured last month)
'Dermot and I kissed at my first wrap party and have been together ever since,' she told The Times.
It was during this time that she was living in a house-share in Islington with Lauren and Anita Rani, both budding presenters.
She explained: 'Lauren was actually quite instrumental in getting us together.
'The girlfriend of one of Dermot's best friends had moved in with us, so our friendship groups were overlapping.'
Dermot got down on one knee during a trip in New York in 2011.
Despite keeping the news quiet themselves, Caroline Flack announced on the Xtra Factor that the couple had become engaged.
They eventually tied the knot a year later at St Mary's Church in Chiddingstone.
Dermot has previously opened up about being a father and how becoming a parent has changed his priorities.
Dermot has previously opened up about being a father and how becoming a parent has changed his priorities
The television presenter lives in London with his wife Dee and their son Kasper, six.
Speaking to The Times, he explained how much energy is required to keep up with his young son, saying it can be 'full-on'.
Dermot said: 'I turned 50 this year and being a dad to a three-year-old can be full-on. A mate who had twins just before Kasper arrived told me, “Don’t worry about how old you are, just make sure you stay in shape.” And he’s right.
'I took Kasper to the RAF Museum the other week and it was like an Olympic sprint, dashing from one exhibit to the next. As soon as we came out he said: “Can we go round again?”'
He went on to describe his love of family time, saying that the daily tasks of changing nappies or playing silly games were the best part.
He explained: 'Dee’s work means that we’re not always together but, those evenings when we are, we make the most of spending proper time together as a family. I can’t understand those parents who don’t enjoy changing nappies or crawling around on the carpet pretending to be a racing car. Isn’t that the absolute joy of being a parent?'
Dermot added that his priorities in life had shifted with the birth of his son, from his material needs to how he wants to spend his spare time.
He said: 'Having a child has changed what I want from life and what makes me happy. Do I need another car? The latest gadget? A bit of vintage Van Morrison vinyl? No, forget the material stuff. What I want is to be with the people I love. Being a dad puts the world in perspective.'
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