Emily Seebohm announces engagement to reality TV star

An Aussie swimming star has confirmed months of rumours, announcing she is engaged to a fellow reality TV contestant.

Aussie Olympic champion Emily Seebohm has confirmed months of rumours by announcing she is engaged to Ryan Gallagher.

The Married at First Sight star announced the news on Instagram on Monday as the pair shared their news with the world.

Gallagher also spoke to Woman’s Day to share details of his romantic proposal.

Gallaher took the Brisbane swimmer to his farm outside Goulburn, NSW, where he proposed by alongside a dam.

“When you know, you know … I thought it was the right spot to do it – she loves the horses and she often swims in the dam,” he told Woman’s Day.

“I did get nervous though. The [ring] box was making a bit of a bulge in my pocket. So either she knew I was proposing or she just thought I was happy to see her.”

Rumours about the pair have swirled since December since Seebohm was first spotted with a diamond ring on her finger during a night out in Melbourne.

Ryan Gallagher and Emily Seebohm announce their engagement via Ryan's Instagram page....

Emily Seebohm and Ryan Gallagher are dating. Picture: Instagram.

However, The Herald Sun at the time reported that the pair denied they were engaged.

The three-time Olympic champion met the Married At First Sight star on Channel 10 reality show The Challenge Australia.

The two kept their romance under wraps until they confirmed their relationship on Instagram in December.

Seebohm previously dated fellow swimmer Mitch Larkin, before their messy split in 2018 amid cheating allegations, which he denied. She dated Brisbane breakfast radio host David “Luttsy” Lutteral for more than a year.

Seebohm has admitted she was in a new relationship when she began filming alongside Gallagher for The Challenge Australia and quickly ended the relationship when it became clear she had romantic feelings for her reality TV co-star.

“Obviously it wasn’t a nice call to make, but I told him what was going on and that there was something there with Ryan and I didn’t see the point in wasting any more time,” she said.

Gallagher proposed with a trilogy diamond ring and thanked Goulburn’s Zantis Jewellers for helping him select the piece.

“It’s perfect – I’m so happy,” Seebohm said.

“It definitely had a Ryan flair to it and it’s something I’ll cherish forever.”

It is very exciting news for the couple and their friends, who have watched the relationship blossom with interest in recent months since Seebohm first spilled the beans about their dating news.

Ryan Gallagher and Emily Seebohm. out and about.

Emily Seebohm and Ryan Gallagher. Photo: Tennis Australia/ FIONA HAMILTON.

“Letting you in on a little secret,” wrote Seebohm with an image of her and Gallagher smiling on a balcony.

At the same time Gallagher posted an image of Seebohm with her hands draped over him with a smiley face emoji.

Various stars congratulated the couple.

“Outstanding,” replied former A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw.

“Gold for Australia,” wrote comedian and presenter Dave Hughes.

Rhonda Burchmore said the announcement was “bloody magnificent”.

Seebohm explained to The Herald Sun why the two kept their relationship a secret during The Challenge.

“We thought we weren’t supposed to (say anything) for the show,” she said.

“That’s why we waited.”

Gallagher added: “We eventually got the s**ts and put our own photo up. We just did it, it’s our relationship and there’s nothing negative about it.”

Seebohm told the outlet it was unexpected to find love on the show.

“I went into The Challenge to be 100 per cent focused on winning the game, Ryan and I quickly became each others’ number one in the game,” she said.

“Ryan is a gentleman and the kindest person I have met. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.”

Gallagher took up comedy after starring in MAFS where he was matched up – and broke up – with Davina Rankin.

According to Woman’s Weekly, the happy couple do not have a specific date planned for their wedding day.