Peter Andre and Emily MacDonagh slept in separate rooms for a year after they started dating.
The couple – who have nine-month-old daughter Amelia together – were friends before embarking on a romantic relationship so didn’t want to confuse the singer’s children, Junior, nine, and Princess, seven, who he has with ex-wife Katie Price.
Peter said: "I remember going round for dinner and thinking she’s beautiful, but she had her life and partner at the time.
"We were friends and two years later I thought, the person I should be with is right in front of me. I didn’t know if she’d want to go out with me but I asked her dad if I could ask her out and it was instant.
"But we slept in separate rooms for a year – i didn’t want the kids to get confused because they knew her as friends."
Despite their attempts to conceal the romance from Junior and Princess – who is nicknamed Bista – the kids weren’t shocked when the pair revealed all.
Peter added: "I sat them down and said, ‘Right kids, we need to have a talk. Me and Emily love each other. We’ve known each other for three years, I love her and I’ll marry her one day.
"Bista rolled her eyes and Junior said, ‘Dad we’re not stupid’."
Despite being open about their relationship, the couple – who got engaged earlier this year – try not to be overly affectionate in front of the kids.
Peter said: "We still don’t kiss in front of them now."
Emily added to Britain’s OK! magazine: "We cuddle and we are more affectionate now though. They’re the ones always saying, ‘Dad give Emily a kiss.’ "
Peter Andre and Emily had separate rooms
