FINDING a partner your parents approve of is hard enough – but it’s almost impossible when you’re the daughter of TV’s most famous hardman.Dani Dyer appears to have finally managed it, however, after settling down with West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen, who last night steered her dad Danny’s favourite team to their first trophy in over 40 years.
Dani and Jarrod have enjoyed dates together at Ascot race course dressed to the ninesCredit: danidyer/Instagram
Danny and Jarrod are firm friends and the actor is hoping the pair will get marriedCredit: Instagram
Danny jokes he’s fallen even more in love with Jarrod, 26, than his daughter since the new parents met in 2021 and hilariously has even joined in with fans’ X-rated terrace chant: “Bowen’s on fire and he’s sh***ing Dani Dyer.”
The EastEnders actor, 45, and footballer were pictured together with babes in arms two weeks ago after Dani, 26, gave birth to twins.
And when Jarrod scored the winning goal to clinch the Europa Conference League title for West Ham this week, a delighted Danny shared a snap of his daughter’s man holding the trophy, captioned: “F****** perfect”.
Now, insiders claim that Danny and his family are desperate for the winger to get down on one knee and make Dani – who also has a son, Santiago, with her ex Sammy Kimmence – a bride.
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Engagement ‘any day now’
A source close to the couple said: “Everyone’s saying they’ll be engaged any day now. They’re a proper family – they’ve just moved into a new house together and both sides of the family love them as a couple.
“It’s Dani’s dream to be married now she’s a mum of three – Jarrod has really stepped up as a dad to Santi and they’re so happy together.
“All their friends are expecting an engagement announcement any day soon – she’d say yes in a flash. It’s something they’ve talked about a lot.”
The couple met not long after Dani’s former long-term boyfriend Kimmence was jailed for swindling pensioners out of thousands of pounds – leaving her to cope as a single mum.
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Previously, the TV star shot to fame thanks to her Love Island romance with Jack Fincham, but the pair split just months after leaving the villa.
When her romance with Jarrod was first revealed, Dani said: “Everything is so early days. Jarrod is a lovely guy, and we’re enjoying getting to know each other.
“But Santi will always be my main priority, he will always come first.
“I am concentrating on being a mum and, beyond that, whatever happens, happens.”
Stepdad duties
Jarrod is regularly seen carrying little Santiago and taking him to his gamesCredit: danidyerxx/Instagram
Within months Jarrod had become a firm fixture in Dani’s life and appears to be loved by Santi, two, who calls him JayJay.
The couple welcomed twin girls Summer and Star in May, and their relationship appears to be going from strength to strength.
While Dani was pregnant, Jarrod helped Santiago do an ultrasound to see how his little sisters were developing.
Shortly after their birth, Dani wrote on social media: “Our first week together and enjoying every moment of the newborn bubble.
“It’s been amazing watching Santi be a big brother he has melted my heart in ways I couldn’t imagine and he just feels like such a big boy all of a sudden.
“My heart feels so so full and so excited for our journey together as a family of 5.”
The West Ham ace slotted quickly into family life as a stepdad and is often photographed by Dani bonding with his stepson – even taking the tot in full West Ham kit on the pitch after games.
Danny smitten
Actor Danny is a big fan of his daughter’s boyfriend and jokes he loves Jarrod moreCredit: Instagram
It’s not just the toddler who is a fan. Dani’s dad is a lifelong Hammers fan and has joked about how smitten he is with his daughter’s other half.
“I’m probably more in love with your boyfriend than you are,” the EastEnders actor joked on his podcast with Dani, Sorted with the Dyers.
The family have been keen for things to become official between the pair since last November.
A source said: “Dani definitely thinks he’s The One, and she’d love a ring on her finger.
“They’re in a really happy place, and she knows there’s no need to rush things, but she would love or him to propose and friends think it could be on the cards.
“A Christmas engagement would be lovely. She’s had a tough time in past relationships, but she’s finally got her fairy tale.”
Sadly, no ring materialised over Christmas and now the family are hoping this summer could see the footballer get down on one knee.
Even after being with Jarrod for a few months, Dani already had his seal of approval.
She said: “My dad thinks Jarrod’s a lovely guy. He’s invested in all of the West Ham players – because he supports the team and follows some of them, he’s like: ‘They’re all my friends.’ I’m like: ‘Right, OK, Dad.’
“But he’s always been such a big football fan. As soon as Santi was born, the West Ham babygros were coming in from Grandad.”
Footie banter
Dani is vocal in her support of Jarrod’s careerCredit: Instagram
Former Islander Dani certainly appears to be taking her duties as a WAG seriously and is regularly snapped at Jarrod’s games – even when heavily pregnant.
However, ahead of the Europa Conference League final, the star couldn’t rely on his family life to give him a break from the pressures of the day job.
Ahead of the clash, he joked: “The missus’ old man is obviously on me every week.”
Following the win over Fiorentina, Dani shared a story with a photo of Jarrod saying: “So proud”.
Their romance has infamously inspired an X-rated song by Hammers fans, and Jarrod was left unimpressed last night when a fan stormed on to the pitch singing it during an interview with BT Sport.
But at least Danny has at least been able to see the funny side.
After the Hammers beat Lyon to reach the semi finals of the competition back in April, he joked on Instagram: “Jarrod Bowen is on fire…and he’s… cuddling me daughter or something. So proud. What a f***ing night.”
New family home
The couple moved into a new family home before Dani gave birth to their twinsCredit: Instagram
Over the course of their relationship, Dani has not been shysharing her love for the footballer in a flood of gushing Instagram tributes.
On their first anniversary, she wrote: “One year of loving you… Happy Anniversary baby… your the boyfriend I’ve always dreamed of having… grateful for someone as kind and special as you.”
The couple have been away on several luxury holidays and even visited Disneyland with Santiago. They’ve also enjoyed dates at spa The Cave Hotel, Ascot races and the Bulgari Hotel Milano.
In March, they moved into a gorgeous new home ahead of welcoming their twins and celebrated with booze-free prosecco.
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Dani decorated the pad in classic white and greys with large mirrors to make the most of natural light.
Now, she’s just waiting for the ultimate accessory… that long-awaited sparkler! More
