TOWIE's Mario Falcone and Lucy Mecklenburgh insist their cheating past is behind them

PUBLISHED: 07:48 EST, 31 July 2012 | UPDATED: 08:18 EST, 31 July 2012

Their 16-month relationship has been plagued by allegations of cheating.

But The Only Way Is Essex's Lucy Mecklenburgh and Mario Falcone insist their recent engagement will stand the test of time.

Despite the 20-year-old beauty previously having admitted to cheating on the Italian hunk with former TOWIE co-star Mark Wright, the couple are adamant they have no doubts about their fidelity.

Young love: Lucy Mecklenburgh and Mario Falcone insist they 'completely' trust each other

Speaking during a stunning joint interview and photoshoot in Dubai with OK! magazine, Mario said of Lucy's former indiscretions: 'I don't think she understood what love is back then.

'She's a different person and has grown up a lot.'

Lucy added: 'We completely trust each other.'

Although Mario popped the question on board a luxury yacht during the show's The Only Way Is Marbs summer special, the 24-year-old tailor has insisted the cameras won't be present when he and Lucy eventually tie the knot.

Private: The couple insist their wedding will not be captured by the TOWIE cameras

In the words of Michael Jackson you rock my world: Mario Falcone was seen proposing to Lucky Mecklenburgh on tonight's episode of The Only Way Is Marbs

In the words of Michael Jackson you rock my world: Mario Falcone was seen proposing to Lucky Mecklenburgh onThe Only Way Is Marbs

Read the full interview in OK! magazine, out now

'I only had one take to get it right in front of a million people!' he said. 'But the show is about our lives and me proposing to Lucy is a part of my life. You can't pick and choose what you put on the show.

'I said to the producers they could film the engagement as long as the cameras were in the background and they weren't dictating to me what to do. But our wedding is just for us.'

Mario's proposal comes just a few months after his dad told him to ditch the brunette bombshell in the wake of her admitting to being unfaithful with Mark, 25.

But the couple have said if the persistent rumours of cheating on Mario's part continue to blight their relationship, they will leave The Only Way Is Essex and go back to their previous day jobs.

Despite Lucy being just 20, she admitted it can be 'upsetting' that people don't believe she's ready for marriage.

'It's showing people we're not a silly young couple,' Lucy told OK! 'We're committed to each other.'

The full interview is available in OK! magazine out now.