24 September 2023 , 21:54
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TV presenter Melinda Messenger got more than she bargained for when she took part in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins last year.
The former glamour model described meeting partner Dr Raj Joshi as "the greatest thing" whilst she battled it out on the tough Channel 4 series. Yet it wasn't on that programme where she realised that she and Raj could be more than friends, and it took a charity hike to Nepal to see romance blossom.
The pair first met last year for Celebrity SAS where Raj was the series' medic and got together in September last year, but it wasn't until this summer before Raj popped the question.
Melinda Messenger has revealed she met her fiancé whilst covered in "sweat, blood, tears, and wee" (Robert Dyer)In an interview, she's told how meeting fiancé Dr Raj Joshi was "the greatest thing that came out the show" when she headed to Nepal to film the tough and gruelling programme for Channel 4.
Speaking to The Sun, Melinda said: "So when I came out, I was crying, sweat, blood, tears, and wee, I am not kidding you, in this old sports bra and cycling shorts covered in bruises and yeah, foot rot. The producer was like, 'do you want to see the doctor? You may as well. Just pop in and just have a quick chat'."
Ex model Melinda Messenger 'happier than ever' as she trains for Nepal trek
She added: "So the show changed my life in more ways than one, and I’m truly thankful for that."
Melinda Messenger and Dr Raj Joshi announced their engagement last month (@melinda.j.messenger_/instagram)
Melinda Messenger will star in the next series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (Ash Knotek/REX/Shutterstock for Channel Four)Melinda will appear in the new series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins on. Channel 4 alongside former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, former footballer Jermaine Pennant and Pop Idol singer Gareth Gates.
The pair announced their engagement last month whilst staying in New Zealand as she broke the unexpected news in an Instagram post and revealed wedding plans are already underway. Writing on her Instagram account alongside a picture of the couple arm-in-arm before a sweeping, mountainous view of the New Zealand countryside, Melinda said: "We've got some very happy news to share. @raj.joshi.expedition and I got engaged in beautiful New Zealand at Matariki, the Māori New year, and we are getting married next year!"
Melinda was previously married to the father of her three children, therapist Wayne Roberts, for 14 years before they parted ways in 2012. The former married couple are parents to sons Morgan, 22, Flynn, 20, and 18-year old daughter Evie.
After her divorce, Melinda was single for three years before romances with ski instructor Warren Smith and then an eight-month relationship with marine Chris Harding.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins begins on Tuesday at 9.30pm on Channel 4.