United Kingdom, June 19 -- Thom Evans has been "a rock" for Nicole Scherzinger.

The 40-year-old former sports star was by Nicole's side throughout her run in Sunset Blvd, the hit musical, in London and New York, and Nicole has revealed that she really appreciates having his support.

Nicole, 46 - who plays Norma Desmond in the musical - told People: "It's really important to have a partner who supports you and believes in you, like I said in my [Tony Awards acceptance] speech, when you sometimes forget to believe in yourself.

"And he's been such a constant and a rock for me during this time, and he just really, he really gets me, my fiance. He's gotten me from day one."

Nicole feels that Thom really "understands" how she approaches her...