The domestic football season may well be over, but Christine Bleakley will soon be losing her boyfriend Frank Lampard to the World Cup.

Chelsea star Frank was announced as a member of Fabio Capello's World Cup squad this week, which means he'll soon be jetting off to South Africa with the rest of the England team to begin preparing for the tournament.

So the couple spent some time together, ahead of his departure, at the Dorchester Hotel in Central London last night.

Night out: Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley are pictured leaving the Dorchester Hotel - they left the hotel bar at 1am and headed back home together

Back to mine: The pair sensibly headed home in a taxi after a few drinks at the London hotel

The One Show presenter kept it simple for the outing in a black blazer over a silky gold top, with black jeans and a black pair of heels.

While Frank was equally understated in a similar blazer and jeans combo, with a white T-shirt and smart black trainers.

The Dorchester seems to have become a firm favourite of the couple who have been seen dining out there on several occasions during the last month alone.

This week Frank will be flying out to South Africa to begin preparations for England's World Cup campaign.

Not long to go: Chelsea star Frank Lampard will soon be heading off to South Africa to play for England in the World Cup

Their opening game takes place against the USA in Rustenberg on Saturday June 12.

The Chelsea midfielder will be hoping to continue the form that saw him play a key role in his team's Premiership winning season.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend will be continuing to present the BBC's chat show, alongside new co-host, comedian Jason Manford.

Meeting: According to one report Christine is keen to meet Frank's ex Elen Rivas

The Manchester-born stand up will replace former host Adrian Chiles, who has left the Beeb and headed over to rivals ITV.

Incidentally, Chiles will be presenting World Cup coverage for the channel, in a £6million deal.

According to reports, Christine is keen to smooth things over with the model so she can establish a relationship with their children, Luna, four, and Isla, three.

Star magazine quoted a source as saying: 'Christine wants to swallow her pride and meet Elen face to face.

'The way she sees it, she needs to get on side before they can ever get married or start a family. '

The source continued: 'Christine has met the children in private and everything went well, but Elen still hasn’t given up all hope of getting Frank back.

'She has made it clear that she isn’t keen on Christine having a full-on relationship with her daughter.'

The One Show presenter, 31, does has one thing on her side, however.

Frank Sr has publicly praised Bleakley and says he would like to see things develop between her and his 31-year-old son.

He said recently: 'She works very hard. I think that’s one of the things that appeals to Frank.

'She certainly isn’t the type to be after a footballer for the money. I hope one day they will get married.'

Hard worker: Lampard's father Frank has given Christine the seal of the approval