Hit me baby one more time! Schoolgirl Christine Bleakley squeezes back into her uniform to revisit her alma mater

By Emily Sheridan


Back to school: Christine Bleakley gets back into her old uniform as she returns to Bloomfield Collegiate school for a Daybreak segment


Her celebrity lifestyle is a world away from her humble beginnings growing up in Northern Ireland.

But Christine Bleakley showed she hasn't forgotten her roots as she returned to her old school.

The 32-year-old slipped back into her green skirt, blazer, tie and knee-high socks and white shirt to visit her former teachers at Bloomfield Collegiate girls grammar school in East Belfast.

Favourite subject: Bleakley chats to two students during an art class, one of her A level subjects


Although this time, Bleakley's uniform was accessorised with her £120,000 diamond engagement ring from footballer fiancé Frank Lampard.

As part of Daybreak's Back To School week, Bleakley relived memories with her school teachers, sang in the choir and played a game of netball.

Speaking to students during the assembly, she admitted it felt 'really odd in a short skirt and tie and socks again. I haven't done a tie since the day I left school.'

Her return to the grammar school comes 14 years after she left with three A levels in Art, English Literature and Government and Politics.

Spot the 'student' on the multi-million pound salary? Bleakley, front row second from right, returns to the choir she sang in all those years ago but this time she needed a song sheet

How about a bit of Baby Baby? Bleakley sang the Amy Grant hit at the school's end-of-year concert in 1991


Returning to her art class, she admitted she spent 'hours and hours' in the room and 'really loved it, loved every second of it'.

Her art teacher Mrs Shearer stunned the presenter when she revealed a collection of her paintings were still hanging on the wall.

Mrs Shearer recalled: 'She was very happy and very friendly and very bubbly. She had lots of curly hair and was sometimes late to class because she couldn't get her hair fixed.'

Bleakley said: 'I have seven years of happy memories of this school; the smells and sounds are exactly the same as I remember them, as is the real caring family atmosphere.

One of the gang: Bleakley, centre left, with pupils at the Northern Ireland school. She was a popular student at Bloomfield and was named head girl


'It is a warm and happy place to be, exactly as I remember it.'

A former head girl at the all-girls grammar school, the presenter was also a member of the senior choir when it featured on Ulster TV's School Choir Of The Year.

When she was 11, she sang Amy Grant's Baby Baby at the end-of-year concert.

During the Daybreak segment, she proved quite the dab hand on the netball court as she played in 'goal attack' and scored a goal.

Here you go Frank, you're not the only sporty one! Bleakley struts her stuff on the netball court

Action: Bleakley proved a dab hand at playing on goal attack

She shoots, she scores: The future Mrs Frank Lampard celebrates after scoring a goal

She enthused: 'For me, it was all about netball. I loved it. I was goal attack. Bit of movement, bit of shooting.

'I haven't played for more than 10 years so I'm guessing I'm a little bit rusty.'

The school's former headteacher Dr David Neill recalled: 'I remember Christine as an outstanding pupil and Head Girl, who loved English and art and regrettably hated my subject, chemistry!

'We are very proud of her achievements and her warm personality and community spirit demonstrates the ethos of the school.'

Even though Bleakley was a head girl, she insists 'I wasn't a goodie two shoes.'

Current principal Darrin Barr was thrilled to see their famous alumni returning to the school: 'All the staff and pupils had a great day being involved in filming the piece, and we hope that Christine will return to school again soon.'

He introduced Bleakley to the students by admitting there was a 'slightly older pupil' amongst them before calling her to the stage in the assembly hall.

Head girl: Despite her prestigious position while she attended the school, the presenter insisted she 'wasn't a goodie two shoes'


Where it all began: Bleakley reminisced about her schooldays as a happy time


source:dailymail

Sparkling rock brightens up Bleak outfit: Christine opts for a drab black dress, but all eyes are on her engagement ring

By Nadia Mendoza


Lady in Bleak: Christine keeps her wardrobe simple in a LBD, but shows off her enormous rock during an evening out in Knightsbridge


She could have stepped out in a bin liner, and all eyes would still have fallen on that rock.

Christine Bleakley kept things simple in a plain black dress, with handbag and shoes to match, drawing attention to her engagement ring as a result.

The Daybreak presenter beamed gleefully as she headed to the Manderin Oriental in Knightsbridge with her fiancé Frank Lampard.

Rocking out: Presenter displays her engagement ring ahead of impending wedding to Frank Lampard


The ring, which includes a large solitaire diamond, as well as smaller diamonds on the band, is thought to have cost in the region of £120,000.

But with the Chelsea ace earning a hefty £140,000 a week, it's hardly a dent in his bank account.

Last month, the sportsman proposed during a holiday in America.

While the ITV star insists it 'wasn't very fancy', the trip is rumoured to have cost £30,000, with Frank going down on one knee on the beach in LA.


Party people: Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard take a trip to the posh Manderin Oriental in Knightsbridge for a Saturday night outing


Oddly, Frank appeared to be the more fashionable of the two, throwing in a casual James Dean T-shirt with a pale grey blazer and black trousers.

Style aside, the Northern Irish host is already impressed with her husband-to-be, revealing he is her biggest inspiration.

During a recent interview, she revealed Frank's 'integrity' is admirable.

She said: 'My parents have been incredibly influential, as has Adrian Chiles, but if I had to pick one person it would be Frank.

'He is a great man with a lot of integrity and an inner strength few of us possess. I admire his work ethic most – it’s second to none.'


source:dailymail

What about me? Christine Bleakley helps Frank Lampard lather on the suncream... but he doesn't return the favour

By SARAH BULL


Staying safe: Christine Bleakley lathers Frank Lampard in suncream to protect him from the sun's harmful rays in Majorca


They have spent the past few days enjoying the sunshine on a romantic break in Majorca, and the results are certainly showing in their deep tans.

But, keen to keep her fiancé safe from the sun's harmful rays, Christine Bleakley was photographed lathering on the suncream on Frank Lampard as they basked in the heat.

Pushing Frank's hair away from his face, Christine made sure his entire forehead was covered in sunblock.

However, when she tried to cover herself in suncream for a sunbathing session, she was left struggling as Frank failed to return the favour.


Puckering up: Frank and Christine enjoy a romantic clinch on a family holiday in Majorca


The couple are currently enjoying a family holiday in Majorca after announcing their engagement earlier this month.

The pair looked incredibly buff and bronzed as they caught some rays on the Mediterranean island.

Christine, 32, showed off her incredibly toned figure in a mismatched two-piece, before changing into a navy flower-print bikini for later in the day.

Meanwhile, Chelsea and England footballer Frank also displayed his muscular physique in a pair of low-riding swimming shorts.

The pair are on holiday with by Frank's two children from his relationship with Elen Rivas – Luna, five, and four-year-old Isla – and Frank's father Frank Snr.

And it seems Christine has no issues bonding with Frank's daughters, as an onlooker told Mail On Sunday at the weekend: 'Christine looked at ease with Frank's children.

'She seems to have a great bond with them already. They all looked so happy.'


Give us a cuddle! Christine pulls in Frank for another hug as they sit on the grass at their Majorcan hotel


Christine and Frank announced their engagement earlier this month after dating for nearly two years.

And the 33-year-old sportsman was so desperate for the proposal to be perfect that he apparently spent three months and £150,000 planning the moment.

Christine and Frank flew to America on a trip thought to have cost £30,000, which saw them visit Las Vegas and Los Angeles, while he’s said to have spent around £120,000 on the engagement ring.


Tender: The couple, who are on holiday with Frank's two children and his father, kept sneaking in kisses


But the Daybreak presenter insisted that the midfielder’s proposal was ‘not very fancy’.

The footballer apparently got down on one knee after a romantic beachside lunch in LA, which led Christine to cry for ten minutes.

The couple had been on a two week break, first staying at the Wynn Encore five star luxury resort in Nevada for almost a week, which costs £400 a night, and boasts its own golf course, private cabanas, four pools and a spa.


Boat trip: The newly-engaged couple cooled down with a boat trip on their luxury getaway


They then travelled to California and it is understood they stayed at the £350-a-night SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.

After becoming engaged, Christine called in to her ITV colleagues Adrian Chiles and Kate Garraway and said: ‘I was beyond shocked. And it wasn’t very glamorous, it wasn’t very fancy - I know some people might expect that.

'It was very personal, very private actually, and we were just having a gorgeous lunch by the beach and he simply popped the question, it was completely out of the blue.’


Muscular: Frank also showed off his buff physique in a pair of low-riding swimming shorts


She added: ‘Half-way through the lovey-dovey bit, I realised what he was about to do so I started to cry for about ten minutes and then he pulled the ring out and said ‘Will you marry me?’ and that was it.’

Christine and Frank are not believed to have set a date for the wedding, but it will be in Northern Ireland, where her family is from.


source: dailymail

Christine Bling-ley! Frank Lampard's new fiancée shows off engagement ring as they arrive back in London

By Jessica Satherley and Liz Thomas


What a ride! A beaming Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard arrive at London's Heathrow Airport today after their long-haul flight from Los Angeles


After a long-haul flight from Los Angeles to London, you'd expect Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard to be feeling a bit shattered.

But after getting engaged during their holiday, nothing could wipe the smile from the ecstatic faces as they walked through Heathrow's Terminal Three.

Although she admitted her ring was a bit too big, the TV presenter couldn't help but flash her diamond ring as she strolled through the airport.

The ring, which includes a large solitaire diamond, as well as smaller diamonds on the band, is thought to have cost in the region of £120,000.

The thrilled couple beamed with happiness at they walked through the airport, no doubt excited to meet up with their families to celebrate their news.

Looking casual in a pair of skinny jeans, wedges and a black T-shirt, the Northern Irish star's big bag and clutch were complemented by her new fiance's pink T-shirt.

Before boarding their flight at LAX, the cute pair looked more in love than ever as they held hands and kissed in front of the Virgin Atlantic check-in stand.

Perky: The couple looked remarkably fresh-faced after their 10 and a half hour flight from LA

We're ever so happy: The couple grin at each other as they are besieged by paparazzi at Terminal 3


Neither of them could stop smiling as they waited for their first-class flight back to London Heathrow.

They will be able to share the romantic proposal story to their friends and family this weekend back in the UK.

Frank apparently spent three months secretly planning his proposal, which cost as much as £150,000.

Home James: The couple get into a waiting taxi to take them back to their Chelsea home

Affectionate: The couple were still holding hands as they sat in the back of the taxi


They flew to America on a trip thought to have cost £30,000, which saw them visit Las Vegas and Los Angeles, while he’s said to have spent around £120,000 on the engagement ring.

But the Daybreak presenter insisted that the England midfielder’s proposal was ‘not very fancy’.

The 32-year-old footballer got down on one knee after a romantic beach side lunch in LA, which led Bleakley, also 32, to cry for ten minutes.

Checking in: Frank and Christine shared a passionate kiss while checking in for their Virgin Atlantic flight


The couple had been on a two week break, first staying at the Wynn Encore five star luxury resort in Nevada for almost a week, which costs £400 a night, and boasts its own golf course, private cabanas, four pools and a spa.

They then travelled to California and it is understood they stayed at the £350-a-night SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.

After becoming Lampard’s fiancée, Bleakley called her ITV colleagues Adrian Chiles and Kate Garraway and said: ‘I was beyond shocked. And it wasn’t very glamorous, it wasn’t very fancy - I know some people might expect that.

Nice tan! Christine was sporting a healthy glow after a two week holiday in Las Vegas and Los Angeles

His and hers! Newly-engaged couple Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley wore matching T-shirts and jeans at LAX, as he wore pink and she wore white

Cute couple: When they weren't kissing the pair hugged each other in the airport

Can't stop smiling: The happy couple were giggling all the way to the airport in LA


‘It was very personal, very private actually, and we were just having a gorgeous lunch by the beach and he simply popped the question, it was completely out of the blue.’

She added: ‘Half-way through the lovey-dovey bit, I realised what he was about to do so I started to cry for about ten minutes and then he pulled the ring out and said ‘Will you marry me?’ and that was it.’

They have not yet set a date for the wedding, but it will be in Northern Ireland, where her family is from.

Hand in hand: Frank held onto his new fiancée's hand protectively as they walked through the airport

Extravagant proposal: Frank is said to have spent around £120,000 on the ring and £30,000 on their American holiday


source:dailymail

Kiss for my bride to be! Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley head home as she gives us a peek of her engagement ring

By Jessica Satherley and Liz Thomas


Checking in: Frank and Christine shared a passionate kiss while checking in for their Virgin Atlantic flight


It was no doubt the happiest holiday of Christine Bleakley’s life, but after getting engaged to Frank Lampard in Los Angeles, the couple were on their way back home last night.

The cute pair looked more in love than ever as they held hands and kissed in front of the Virgin Atlantic check-in stand at LAX.

And the ITV presenter gave us a sneak peek of her engagement ring, thought to have cost in the region of £120,000.

Despite hiding the diamond inside her hand, the sparkling band was on clear display as the 32-year-old gripped her grey Chanel handbag.

Lampard and his fiancée looked perfectly paired in blue denim jeans and cotton T-shirts, with the Chelsea footballer in pink and Miss Bleakley in white.

Neither of them could stop smiling as they waited for their first-class flight back to London Heathrow.

Previously Miss Bleakley had told photographers that she wasn’t wearing her ring because it needed to be resized.

But yesterday she was keen to slip in on her wedding finger and looked ecstatic to be showing it off.

They will be able to share the romantic proposal story to their friends and family this weekend back in the UK.

Frank apparently spent three months secretly planning his proposal, which cost as much as £150,000.

Nice tan! Christine was sporting a healthy glow after a two week holiday in Las Vegas and Los Angeles

His and hers! Newly-engaged couple Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley wore matching T-shirts and jeans at LAX, as he wore pink and she wore white


They flew to America on a trip thought to have cost £30,000, which saw them visit Las Vegas and Los Angeles, while he’s said to have spent around £120,000 on the engagement ring.

But the Daybreak presenter insisted that the England midfielder’s proposal was ‘not very fancy’.

The 32-year-old footballer got down on one knee after a romantic beach side lunch in LA, which led Bleakley, also 32, to cry for ten minutes.

Can't stop kissing! Christine planted a big kiss on Frank as they waited for their luggage to be checked in

Cute couple: When they weren't kissing the pair hugged each other in the airport


The couple had been on a two week break, first staying at the Wynn Encore five star luxury resort in Nevada for almost a week, which costs £400 a night, and boasts its own golf course, private cabanas, four pools and a spa.

They then travelled to California and it is understood they stayed at the £350-a-night SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.

After becoming Lampard’s fiancée, Bleakley called her ITV colleagues Adrian Chiles and Kate Garraway and said: ‘I was beyond shocked. And it wasn’t very glamorous, it wasn’t very fancy – I know some people might expect that.

Can't stop smiling: The happy couple were giggling all the way to the airport in LA

Hand in hand: Frank held onto his new fiancée's hand protectively as they walked through the airport


‘It was very personal, very private actually, and we were just having a gorgeous lunch by the beach and he simply popped the question, it was completely out of the blue.’

She added: ‘Half-way through the lovey-dovey bit, I realised what he was about to do so I started to cry for about ten minutes and then he pulled the ring out and said ‘Will you marry me?’ and that was it.’

They have not yet set a date for the wedding, but it will be in Northern Ireland, where her family is from.

Extravagant proposal: Frank is said to have spent around £120,000 on the ring and £30,000 on their American holiday

The big day: They have not yet set a date for the wedding, but it will be in Northern Ireland, where her family is from


source:dailymail

Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard can't stop smiling as they're pictured for the first time since getting engaged

By Sarah Fitzmaurice


On cloud nine: Newly-engaged Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley couldn't stop smiling as they shopped at the Century City Mall in Beverly Hills earlier today


Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard have been pictured for the first time since getting engaged in Los Angeles.

The delighted couple were spotted grinning widely as they shopped at the Century City Mall in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning, shortly after the footballer popped the question.

Looking casual as they strolled through the shops, Miss Bleakley's engagement finger was noticeably bare - suggesting they may have been planning to buy a ring to seal the deal in a nearby jewellery store.


Frank, who has been dating the BBC presenter for a 20 months, got down on one knee while the couple were in L.A. following a romantic break in Las Vegas.

The footballer's agent Steve Kutner today said: 'I am pleased to say that Christine Bleakley has accepted Frank Lampard's surprise engagement proposal here in LA.'

He added: 'They are obviously both delighted but there are no immediate wedding plans, and the couple will not be making any further comment on this happy and private occasion.'

Leading the congratulations were Bleakley's Daybreak colleague Kate Garraway, who praised Lampard with 'the boy done good', and fellow breakfast show presenter Lorraine Kelly.

Frank's proposal contradicts reports last month that Lampard was planning a romantic proposal on board one of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's luxury yachts.

Celebration: Bleakley's ITV colleagues Lorraine Kelly and Kate Garraway sent their congratulations on Twitter


A source had said: 'Frank intends to propose in the most romantic way possible. He's got it all planned out. He will spend most of June away with Christine and by the time he and Christine are back in London, they will be engaged.'

Earlier this week Christine,and Frank, were spotted acting extremely affectionate to one another during their holiday in Las Vegas.

The couple were pictured last week kissing and cuddling as they made the most of their romantic holiday as they lazed around the pool.

Miss Bleakley couldn't resist pulling in her beau for a series of kisses as they basked in the sunshine before taking a dip in the water showing off her incredible bikini body.

Engaged: Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley are now engaged after the Chelsea footballer surprised the Daybreak presenter with a shock proposal in LA


And the feeling was most definitely mutual, as Lampard cheekily kept grabbing his girlfriend's pert posterior as they relaxed at their hotel.

Christine has made no secret of her wish to start a family and speaking on Daybreak earlier this year she said: ‘For me, I’m 31, I don’t have babies. And for me, having children is the biggest and most important thing I’m ever going to do in my life.’

‘It’s not about my career, it’s not about your job or anything else, it’s about that.’

Matching muscles: Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard show off their toned bodies as they enjoy a holiday in Las Vegas


Speaking to the Daily Mail in May Christine quashed rumours that the Chelsea star might have proposed and said: 'People keep asking when he’s going to ask me to marry him. But I’m the last person who should know that,’ she says. ‘We went to Paris for two days a few weeks ago and suddenly it was, “Look, they’re ring shopping.” No, we weren’t and he certainly hasn’t asked.

‘We’ve only been seeing each other a year and a half, which isn’t long enough for me. There are his children to think about, too.'

Frank and Christine met at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2009 after being introduced by Piers Morgan and England cricketer Kevin Pietersen.

Romantic rendezvous: The pair share a laugh as they bask in the sun at their hotel


Speaking about their meeting she said:‘They strolled up to me and said, “Someone wants to meet you”, and Frank appeared.

The footballer has two children with his ex-fiancée Elen Rivas, Luna, five and Isla, four.

Frank split from the Spanish model in November 2008 after seven years together.
This is the second engagement for Bleakley - she was previously engaged to Dublin restaurant owner Christian Stokes in 2004.

Pucker up: The couple's love for each other is clear as they kiss and cuddle in the hotel pool


Come here for another smooch: Christine pulls in Frank for another romantic clinch as they relax on the sunloungers at their hotel


source:dailymail