WHEN this newly-engaged couple take their wedding vows, the part where it goes 'in sickness and in health' will certainly bring back memories.

Having been close friends and occasional colleagues for a decade, actress-host Melody Chen and freelance actor-host Randall Tan finally realised how much they love each other earlier this year, when Randall was struck with Guillian-Barre Syndrome. It's a rare disorder that attacks the peripheral nervous system, affecting body movements.

Randall was fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit of Tan Tock Seng Hospital in late June, when feelings between the two started to grow.

Barely six months later, the 'good as new' Randall, 35, proposed at Melody's 30th birthday party.

But ask the couple when and how exactly they got together, both merely give a shrug.

Melody, who represented Singapore in the first season of The Amazing Race Asia, said: 'I guess we both really cared a lot about each other but were always together with other people and the thought of being romantically involved didn't cross our minds.

'But when he was sick, I just wanted to be with him and I realised my love for him is beyond brotherly love.'

Couplehood came easy for these two and Randall was grateful that Melody handled 'all the nitty gritty everyday administrative tasks' and helped him with chores during his illness so he could focus on getting better.

On the proposal, Melody recalled that Randall came up to her with flowers and knelt down in front of family and friends.

She said: 'I was so shocked, I went to one corner and hid my face behind the flowers.'

Randall said: 'She left me alone there with the ring! I was stressed and sweat was running down my face.

'I was asking myself, 'Should I stand up?' and 'Is that a yes?'.'

Eventually, she did say 'yes', but 'not before I made sure he had asked for permission from my parents and my grandmother,' she said, laughing.

The wedding is set for next April.

Randall, who has just finalised his divorce with his ex-wife, said his first marriage 'was over a long time ago'.

'It's just taken some time for... the paperwork to be completed,' he said.

'I certainly don't want anyone to think that Melody is the cause of our break-up.

'She's not that kind of person and definitely, we only realised our strong feelings for each other this year.'