Former model-turned-TV-actress Phyllis Quek is officially off the singles' list.
She will be tying the knot with Australian businessman David Cox , 51, next month.
Quek, 41, shyly reveals that she can thank one of her best friends for the happy development.
"For a long time, I was spending my weekends at my girlfriend's place, playing with her daughter, who is also my god-daughter," she explains.
Her friend, exasperated that she was taking herself "out of circulation", got mutual friends to haul her out for parties and events.
And one of these events was the 2011 SingTel Formula One Grand Prix.
"He is an avid fan and had flown in with his friends from Australia. Our mutual friend introduced us and we hit it off immediately," Quek recalls.
Days after their first meeting, the two started staying in touch through Skype and WhatsApp.
"Whenever he had business in Europe, he would transit in Singapore for a couple of days to spend time with me. I guess our relationship blossomed from there," she says.
"I never thought I'd go out with a Caucasian guy but love works in mysterious ways," she adds, laughing.
And of course, the Sydney native would choose the Formula One to bring things full circle.
He chose the most glamorous and romantic race - the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco for the proposal in May last year.
A glowing Ms Quek says it was over a romantic dinner that Mr Cox asked for her hand in Mandarin.
"How can I not say yes?," Quek tells The New Paper on Sunday.
This will be Ms Quek's first marriage and Mr Cox's second. The two registered their union last December, attended by his teenaged son and daughter, mother and sister, who flew in from Sydney.
They will also be here for the wedding dinner on June 23.
While Quek declines to give details, she reveals that she will be wearing a gown "with lace and crystals" designed by Michelle Hui Min from Bridal Veil.
"I haven't had a fitting yet, let alone seen the gown, except in Michelle's sketches but I'm confident about her handiwork," she says, giggling.
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