Ryan O’Neal & Farrah Fawcett plan marriage

Posted Jun 24, 2009 by Walt Belcher

Updated Jul 29, 2009 at 04:18 PM

NBC scored huge ratings recently with a two-hour special on Farrah Fawcett’s battle with cancer. Now comes ABC’s “20/20” with more on the ‘70s sex symbol.

In an interview with Barbara Walters to air this week at 10 p.m., Farrah’s long-time lover Ryan O’Neal, 68, says he’s asked her to marry him, again, and she’s agreed.

O’Neal described Fawcett’s deteriorating condition, saying the 62-year-old iconic actress is “fighting for her life.”

“We will, as soon as she can, say yes. ... Maybe we can just nod her head,” he said, with a laugh.

Fawcett and O’Neal began dating in 1980 and lived together with their son Redmond. The two never officially tied the knot, but not for O’Neal’s lack of trying.

“I used to ask her to marry me all the time,” he said. “But ... it just got to be a joke, you know. We just joked about it.”

But O’Neal told Walters that he was confident the two will finally get married. “I promise you, we will. ... Absolutely.”

O’Neal also said he has his wedding outfit prepared, telling of the couples’ ability to make each other laugh.

As for how he will dress for the ceremony, O’Neal said, “Like a gigolo. You know? And a little thin mustache and slicked-back hair. I don’t know. We have fun, we tease about that.”

Walters’ complete interview with O’Neal, as well as with Fawcett’s doctor and others who are closest to her, will air on “20/20” Friday at 10 p.m. Eastern.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=7881991&page=1