Rick Fox 'hears wedding bells with Dushku'

Rick Fox has revealed that he definitely plans to marry girlfriend Eliza Dushku in the near future.

The former Dancing With The Stars contestant told US Weekly that the couple - who began dating in 2008 - have been discussing the possibility of tying the knot but are holding out for the perfect time.

"I hear [wedding bells] now. We've been honest about that conversation, and we've had it," he explained.

"I've failed in marriage before, and this will be her first marriage. So we want to make sure the foundation is laid in a responsible way where communication is had about what she wants from life as a woman - whether she wants to have kids or go back to school - whatever she wants to do."

Fox added that he already considers Dushku to be part of his family as she acts as a parental figure to his children from a previous relationship.

"Watching her and my kids bond over the holidays was really a gift to me - I couldn't have wished for anything better," he said.

"I told her, 'We're not married, yet, but you're like a stepmother to my kids'."