Dermot O'Leary's Wife Reveals Lauren Laverne's Role in Their Romance
Dee Koppang shares how the BBC presenter helped facilitate her early relationship with the TV host.
Dermot O'Leary's wife, film producer Dee Koppang, has revealed that television presenter Lauren Laverne played a role in their romance, recalling a moment they "kissed at [Laverne's] first wrap party."
Koppang, 47, and O'Leary, 53, married in 2012 and welcomed their son, Kasper, in 2020. While the couple tends to keep their family life private, Koppang recently shared insights into the beginning of their relationship in an interview with The Times.
The couple first encountered each other in 1999 while Koppang was undertaking work experience at a production company where O'Leary also worked. They had a brief encounter in a lift, but their romance didn't begin until 2002. At that time, both were employed by the same production company; Koppang was a researcher and production co-ordinator, while O'Leary hosted a music show called Re:covered.
"Dermot and I kissed at my first wrap party and have been together ever since," Koppang stated.
During this period, Koppang shared a house in Islington with Laverne and fellow presenter Anita Rani. Koppang explained that Laverne was "instrumental in getting us together" as the girlfriend of one of O'Leary's close friends had moved in with them, leading to their social circles overlapping.
O'Leary proposed to Koppang in New York in 2011. The engagement news was later announced publicly by Caroline Flack on the Xtra Factor. The couple exchanged vows the following year at St Mary's Church in Chiddingstone.
O'Leary has previously spoken about fatherhood and how it has reshaped his priorities. He described the energy required to keep up with their young son as "full-on." In an anecdote shared with The Times, he recounted a visit to the RAF Museum with Kasper, likening the experience to an "Olympic sprint" as his son eagerly wanted to repeat the activities.
He expressed his enjoyment of family time, emphasizing that everyday tasks like changing diapers or playing games are the most rewarding aspects of parenthood. "Isn't that the absolute joy of being a parent?" he asked.
O'Leary noted that the birth of his son has shifted his focus from material possessions to how he wants to spend his free time. "Having a child has changed what I want from life and what makes me happy," he said. "Do I need another car? The latest gadget? A bit of vintage Van Morrison vinyl? No, forget the material stuff. What I want is to be with the people I love. Being a dad puts the world in perspective."