Congratulations to Abi Titmuss, who has announced her engagement! The 41-year-old, who moved to America to star in long-running soap Days Of Our Lives, has revealed her plans to marry co-star Ari Welkom. Announcing her happy news to the Sunday Mirror, Abi also said she is ready to start a family with her American fiancé. "I'm engaged to the love of my life and I'm ready to be a mum," she said. "Having children has always been really important to me."
STORY: Lisa Snowdon engaged to 'soulmate' George Smart
Abi Titmuss is engaged to her Days Of Our Lives co-star Ari Welkom
Abi – a former glamour model - shot to fame as the girlfriend of John Leslie, and enjoyed a TV career in the UK, appearing on shows including Richard & Judy, Hell's Kitchen and Celebrity Love Island. She moved to the US three years ago when she landed the role of Nurse Jackie in Days Of Our Lives, and changed her name to Abi Evelyn. "It was a fresh slate. I got off the plane and was like, 'Get on with it, he's here.' He's an actor and we are happy," added the star. "I wanted to meet somebody who didn't know anything about me so I would know 100 per cent in my heart that this person just liked me for me and didn't have any judgement. I knew when he looked at me he was seeing a complete stranger and that he didn't know anything about me."
GALLERY: The sweetest celebrity engagements
Abi first came to public attention as the girlfriend of John Leslie
Abi also revealed that she had previously battled depression and said her life had spiralled out of control. But now she finally feels she can be herself. "In America I'm able to be who I really am," she said. "I had a crazy couple of years when I was modelling, I had fun and went nuts. I was in my 20s, it was all unexpected. It was a crazy three years. Before that I was me, and after that I was me.
STORY: Kimberley Walsh congratulates sister on engagement and reveals she played matchmaker
"I made those 20-something mistakes in the public eye and I did a lot of growing up. Now I know when I go into an audition over here they are not judging me except for what they see on my resume. To turn it around and to really believe in myself, that's amazing." Of her future, Abi added: "I'm 41 but I still get cast in the 25-35 bracket. They don't know how old I am out here. It's great! I love the careers of Amy Adams and Meryl Streep. To follow in their footsteps would be incredible."
