Pop star Irina Allegrova has always had a reputation as an unpredictable person in Moscow's celebrity circles. But few could have foreseen this recent turn of events, the daily Zhizn reported.

Having divorced pop dancer Igor Kapusta, who was nine years her junior, Allegrova has fallen in love with her chauffeur, Igor Safiullin, 32 - fully 18 years younger than she is.

The two met in 1998, when Allegrova hired Safiullin to work as her chauffeur. In 2000, he was promoted to manager, although their relationship was strictly business, according to Zhizn. Nevertheless, Allegrova more than once publicly praised him, particularly for his good manners, loyalty and devotion.

Later, Safiullin moved into the "guest wing" at Allegova's dacha. And recently, Safiullin moved onto the main estate.

At first, Allegrova tried to hide her relationship with Safiullin by appointing him as her personal bodyguard and publicly announcing he would accompany her everywhere, including on her tours.

According to knowledgeable sources, Allegrova has made Safiullin her shadow - they are together everywhere, and they have been spotted dining together after Allegrova's concerts. Moreover, people from her inner circle say they haven't seen Allegrova so happy for ages, and allege that she is seriously considering marrying Safiullin.