Mario Falcone will propose to his girlfriend this year.

Mario Falcone

Mario Falcone

The 'Only Way is Essex' star is smitten with his girlfriend Becky Miesner - who moved in with him last October after three months of dating - and wants to take the next step in their relationship.

He said: "I'm planning to propose maybe later this year or next...

"I think I knew [she was The One] from the first moment we started going out. It's just easy. We don't argue. Becky has her own businesses and works hard and my family love her too.

"I've never been with someone who I look forward to seeing all the time. I couldn't imagine myself without her now."

But if the couple do tie the knot, Mario - who was previously engaged to 'TOWIE' co-star Lucy Mecklenburgh - won't allow the TV cameras into their wedding.

He said: "The best thing about this relationship is that it's not in the public eye.

"It's controlled, which I never had when I was on the show. It's Becky's day, not 'TOWIE's day."

And the 29-year-old star is desperate to start a family with the 28-year-old salon owner.

He said: "I love kids. My whole family love Becky. She's the first girlfriend they've really warmed to, so they're like, 'Get married, have babies.'

"I'd have them now. I love children and I think I'm in a relationship that's stable enough and my life now is stable enough to have children. But girls have the dream of the engagement and marriage."

Becky added to OK! magazine: "I'd like an engagement first. I'm no one that has to be married before kids, but I'd definitely like that commitment."