Five years into their romance, and Gareth Gates and Faye Brookes couldn't be happier. The couple stepped into the spotlight this week at the star-studded NTA Awards, and looked madly in love as they posed for the cameras on the red carpet.
But Coronation Street star Faye – who first met Gareth when they worked together in Legally Blonde: The Musical in 2012 – wasn't always head over heels for the 32-year-old singer.
Coronation Street star Faye Brookes has opened up about her romance with Gareth Gates
"When Pop Idol was on, I was 15 and my best friend in school had a huge poster of Gareth on her bedroom wall – but I voted for Will Young over Gareth," she revealed in a new interview with the Sun.
"Whenever I stayed at her house and I slept in that bed I'd be like, 'I don't get it!' I was so, 'Whatever!' about him."
Faye, 29, made her debut in Coronation Street as Kate Connor in October 2016, and already her life has started to change.
The talented actress was named Best Newcomer at the 2017 National Television Awards
"[Gareth] gets recognised more but if we're together they recognise me first because they've seen me on TV the night before," she said. "I don't think it was awkward when my profile got bigger. I was going from theatre to TV so I was the one feeling nervous."
Gareth was certainly glowing with pride when Faye was named Best Newcomer at the NTAs – and the celebrations continued when the pair got home. In a hilarious selfie video shared with fans, the singer dedicated a rap to his girlfriend, who can be seen cuddling up to her trophy in bed.
"Yo, this is my lady Faye and she is the winner of the NTA," Gareth rapped. "She won best newcomer, walking down the carpet yo, she looked like a stunner.
Proud Gareth took to Twitter to congratulate his girlfriend
"She'd like to thank you for your votes. She's really really thankful, totes. But it's time to say goodnight, we've had a few drinks I think it's time to turn out the lights. Because she's up in the morning, she's back on the cobbles. It's time that we got snoring."
He then sweetly added: "Baby I'm so proud of you and I know millions of people out there are proud of you. You smashed it tonight."