When the first reports of Robbie Williams’s romance with Ayda Field emerged, not many people expected it to end in wedding bells.

The singer has been linked to a string of glamorous women since he first hit the headlines in Take That.

Over the years, Cameron Diaz, All Saint Nicole Appleton, TV presenter Tania Strecker and Geri Halliwell have all been seen on his arm but none of them stayed there for long.

His relationship with Rod Stewart’s ex-wife Rachel Hunter seemed to be more serious but it ended in 2003.

It was reported at the time that he had been ditched by the model-turned-actress because she was no longer able to deal with his mood swings and paranoia.

She is said to have broken the news to him on the eve of his 29th birthday.

Another string of short-term relationships followed and, in 2006, he said marriage was off the cards because of his inability to stay faithful.

But that same year he met American actress Ayda Field and by 2009 he was confessing he was in love and getting ready for children.

He told presenter Jonathan Ross: “I thought I was going to be a bachelor... I was introduced to Ayda and things just changed. She’s a wonderful person and I’m in love.”

He even said the pair was ready to have children.

Things took an eccentric turn when he appeared to propose to her live on radio.

He was on Australia’s Kyle And Jackie O Show with her when he popped the question.

His spokesman claimed it was a joke but his mother added fuel to the fire when she told Radio 5 Live it was true and she was “really pleased” for the couple.

Jan Williams said: “She’s a lovely girl and I’m really pleased for them. I’ve got a daughter-in-law.”