10 years after the tragic death of Aaliyah, Timbaland has decided to share a secret for the first time, revealing that he "fell in love" with her when they met.

The producer worked extensively with Aaliyah throughout her career and has been credited with propelling her to stardom with his trademark beats. However, Tim says his feelings for Aaliyah ran deeper than just platonic friendship.

"When I first met Aaliyah - it's time for the world to hear this, I’m gonna give a little secret - I was in love with her," he revealed on True Hollywood Story.

He added: "I said, But I’m not…She just a baby, I’m old…I said to myself, ‘I’m just gonna be her brother.’ Oh man, I was fightin’, I was fightin’ a lot - a big war. But I loved Aaliyah."

Tim was not the only musician who fell in love with the stunning songstress - it has been rumoured that R. Kelly married Aaliyah when she was just 15-years-old, but neither publically addressed the claims.

Aaliyah tragically died at the age of 21 in an airplane crash in 2001.

Timbaland's True Hollywood Story airs on E! on Tuesday in the US.

Are you shocked by Tim's revelation?

Remembering Aaliyah...