Hilary's Happily Ever After

THE BRIDE-TO-BE IS BACK ON OUR SCREENS WITH AN INSPIRING NEW SERIES

- Kelly Bertrand

As anyone who’s truly lived life knows, fairytales always have their challenges. Few people know this more than Hilary Timmins, who candidly and bravely told her story in the pages of the Weekly.

From heartbreaks, to tragedies, to fresh starts and finding love all over again, the vivacious presenter who for years was the host of Lotto’s weekly draw, revealed most things – but not her bold decision to leave New Zealand in 2011 to follow her long-lost love to the other side of the world. And now, seven years later, Hilary has some more news – she’s engaged!

Speaking to us from the home she shares with her fiancé Rob Whitehouse in London’s south-west, Hilary (52) says she’s never been happier.

“Life is great!” she enthuses down the line.

“If there’s anything I’ve learnt, is that sometimes you have to take a leap of faith – and I did!”

Hilary’s latest chapter began in 2010, in NewZealand, when she was working with Variety, the Children’s Charity. Appearing on a radio show to help with a telethon-style fundraiser, her familiar voice caught the attention of Rob (66), who instantly remembered it belonging to a girl he dated 25 years previously.

“So he rang Variety, left his number and a message for me to get in touch if I wanted to – he was visiting from his home in London,” remembers Hilary.

“We’d first met in the ‘80s, I was about 17 when I met Rob and we started seeing each other – but eventually the relationship fizzled out. When I got the message, I thought, ‘Ooh! Okay!’ It was too tempting. Let’s see what’s happened in the 25 years inbetween!”