Love was in the air when Nicholas Deighton got up on stage in front of 1,400 people and proposed to sweetheart Tracy Fulton.

Mr Deighton of Silver End, Witham, asked the Cliffs Pavilion theatre, Southend, if his surprise could be worked into a Blues Brothers act.

The couple went to the show as a Valentine's treat, but only Nicholas, 26, knew what would happen next.

Actor Matthew Hewitt, playing Jake Blues, shouted: "There's a crazy guy in here called Nicholas Deighton. Come up here!"

Nicholas was propelled forward to join Jake on stage where in a shaking voice he said: "Tracy, I love you and I want you to wear my ring."

Actor Matthew Stokes, playing Elwood Blues, found a trembling Tracy in the crowd and asked her to give her reply in front of everyone.

The crowd held its breath waiting for the tiny "yes" that Tracy, 22, seemed too shocked to offer. Then loud and clear she found her voice ... and the auditorium burst into applause.

Tracy was shocked but happy after the show. The couple haven't set the happy day yet, but the chances are that they will walk down the aisle to the Blues Brothers' classic Gimme Some Lovin'.

The happy couple

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