Declan Donnelly looks smitten as girlfriend Ali Astall accompanies him to the RTS Awards

A winner in more ways than one! Declan Donnelly looks smitten as girlfriend Ali Astall accompanies him to the RTS Awards

By Sarah Bull

Published: 08:44 EST, 19 March 2014 | Updated: 10:55 EST, 19 March 2014

He won a prize at the RTS Awards on Tuesday night for Best Entertainment Performance with presenting sidekick Ant McPartlin.

But Declan Donnelly looked like a winner in more ways than one as he attended the awards at London’s Grosvenor House alongside manager girlfriend Ali Astall.

As the pair enjoyed their meal inside the event, Dec was seen staring deep into the eyes of Ali, who looked stunning in a patterned dress.

A winner in more ways than one! Declan Donnelly looked smitten as he was accompanied by girlfriend Ali Astall at the RTS Awards in London on Tuesday night

While Ant and his wife Lisa Armstrong were also on their table, Dec and Ali only had eyes for each other, appearing to be in a deep conversation for the majority of their meal.

Ali and Dec started dating early last year, but are believed to have kept their blossoming romance quiet until news of the relationship broke in October 2013.

The couple are thought to have forged a close bond after a decade of working alongside each other, with Ali managing the career of both Dec and Ant.

Dinner time: Dec kept a protective arm on Ali’s chair as they sat inside Grosvenor House for the ceremony

Deep in conversation: Despite sitting on a table full of people, Dec and Ali only had eyes for each other

  

And Dec admitted things couldn’t be better for him in the romance department.

He said: ‘I think we’ve always been attracted to each other, but it has always been that thing of we work together. This is the first time we’ve given it a try. We always hung out.

‘When she was single and I was single we’d go out for dinner on Valentine’s night together because we didn’t have partners. This year we went out as a couple.’

The pair have now moved in together, but Dec says he is in no rush to walk down the aisle.

Of getting married, Dec added: ‘We’ll see. My mam doesn’t give me any hassle. I’d like to get married one day.’

Suited and booted: Dec and Ant McPartlin looked smart as they posed on the red carpet at the awards earlier in the evening

Sharing a joke: Despite having worked together for years, Ant and Dec don’t show any signs of growing tired with each other’s company

Dec had been predominantly single since splitting from Sky Sports News presenter Georgie Thompson in 2011 after a two-year romance.

The Geordie star’s longest relationship was with TV actress Clare Buckfield, who he dated for 11 years before parting ways in 2003.

Speaking previously about dating, Dec admitted he always found it difficult because his potential girlfriends always knew a lot about him.

He said: ‘It was one of those things. I thought, God! It is really hard to meet girls. People would always try and set me up, which was awkward. You can’t set me up on a blind date because she will automatically know more about me.’