TV star Declan Donnelly has reportedly struck up a new romance with his long-time manager Ali Astall.The couple are said to have become close after working together for more then ten years, and have now confirmed their relationship to family and friends.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThey have allegedly also told their bosses at celebrity agency James Grant Management, the company where Ali works and which oversees both Dec's career and that of his on-screen partner Ant McPartlin. "They adored each other for years and people often thought they were together — but it's only recently they finally became an item," a source told the Sun.
"They kept it quiet for ages but are at last coming to terms with being a couple in public. "On Saturday, Dec, 37, and Ali, 34, were seen arriving back in the UK together after a holiday in LA.They are said to have enjoyed a series of secret dates for "several months" and have regularly been spotted out and about together in Chiswick, west London, where they both live.
© Photo: Getty Images"They have told their families the news as they all know each other anyway," the source added. "To be honest, it hasn't come as much of a surprise to some because they'd always been close. "Dec — who co-hosts I'm A Celebrity... and Britain's Got Talent
— has not had a serious romance since splitting from Sky Sports host Georgie Thompson in 2011.
Prior to that, he had an 11-year relationship with 2point4 Children actress Clare Buckfield which came to an end in 2003.
He was also briefly linked to Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts, who was runner-up in the 2012 seres of I'm A Celebrity.
