Alison Hammond’s future father-in-law confirms wedding bells are on the horizon

Alison Hammond is engaged to her boyfriend, landscape gardener Ben Hawkins, her future father-in-law has revealed.

In an exclusive chat with MailOnline, Colin Hawkins, 72, said wedding bells are on the horizon for the couple after they both “proposed to each other”.

When asked if Ben and Alison were engaged, Colin replied: “I know they’ve both proposed, but as far as I know, there are no rings.”

He also called Alison, 48, the “nicest woman we’ve ever met” and talked about how happy they are.

It comes after the loving couple was first photographed together last Monday as she left Ben’s house in a green dress and camouflage coat.

The This Morning star is said to have fallen for Ben, who was pictured at his Birmingham home today, after hiring him to tend to his garden at his West Midlands home almost two years ago.

Love: Chatting exclusively with MailOnline, Colin Hawkins, 72, said wedding bells are on the horizon for the couple after they both ‘proposed’ (Ben pictured at his home today)

It is believed that they have been together for around a year and a half.

Speaking at his family’s home in Redditch, Ben’s father Colin now said: “They are very happy, but they don’t have it all figured out yet, but they are both talking about marriage, that’s true.”

What I do know is that when it happens none of us will know because it will be done in private. That’s what they told me.

‘I love Alison to pieces. She is the nicest woman we have ever met. I’d love to tell you a bunch of stories and they’re all good, but I can’t because she’s asked us to keep things private.

‘If you go to her when you’re in trouble, she’ll help you, that’s the way she is. I know they will make it and I won’t be there to see it, but it will be a very proud day for me. I will be Alison’s father-in-law and that will be wonderful.

It was previously revealed that she had a mystery man that she was “willing to marry”.

The fun-loving TV presenter is said to have hired Ben to handle the plot at her West Midlands home two years ago, and the pair hit it off.

Sun he claimed that the duo were also seen together again on Valentine’s Day.

Wedding Bells: When asked if Ben and Alison are engaged, Colin replied, “I know they’ve both proposed, but there aren’t any rings that I know of.”

Casual: The shopkeeper looked casual in a navy tracksuit when he stepped out near his Birmingham home on Monday

A friend told the publication: “They love to hang out and have gone out to eat and to the pub.” Both are down to earth and get along like a house on fire.

“She makes him laugh and Alison thinks it’s cute that she still lives with her parents.”

Ben, who lives with his parents, is said to be completely in love with Alison and she previously said about her man, who was a mystery at the time: “He loves me to bits.”

“He absolutely adores me and massages my feet every day.”

Alison recently teased fans about her love interest, telling them that she’s down to marry her ‘mystery man’.

The former Strictly star described him as “lovely” and told ITV’s This Morning how he had “kept it hidden for a year and a half”. . . and no one knew!

They grow stronger: It is believed that they have been together for about a year and a half (Ben pictured on Monday)

‘He makes my heart sing’: Alison said she’s happier than ever with her mystery boyfriend in Lorraine in June

Alison revealed she was “off the market” in May last year when her This Morning co-host Dermot O’Leary, 49, let slip that she had a boyfriend during the show.

Dermot told Alison, ‘You’re not available anymore, but if you were, whoa!

Alison said, ‘What do you mean I’m not available? I’m available!’

After the hosts discussed their relationship status, Alison quipped, “Is there someone in my life?”, to which Dermot commented, “I think so!”

Laughing, Alison quipped, “Can you believe Dermot outed me on TV?”

A beaming Alison then joked that her co-host had “told everyone”.

The duo then burst out laughing before Alison told ITV viewers: “I’ve got someone guys, I’m off the market, I’m so sorry guys!”

Pals: This came after Dermot O’Leary revealed Alison’s relationship status live on air (pictured together on the show together in May)

Former flame: The host previously dated her security guard Jamie Savage from 2014 to 2017 (pictured with Alison’s son Aidan)

Ex-husband: Alison used to be married to taxi driver Noureddine Boufaied, with whom she shares their 18-year-old son Aiden.

The following month, former reality star Alison revealed that she was happier than ever with her secret boyfriend.

She said her mystery man ‘makes her heart sing’ before saying she prefers to keep the details of her private life to herself.

Speaking on an episode of Lorraine Alison beamed as she talked about her boyfriend.

She told presenter Lorraine Kelly, 63, “He makes my heart sing and I feel content, he enriches my life in ways I can’t explain.”

Alison was previously married to taxi driver Noureddine Boufaied, with whom she shares her 18-year-old son Aiden.