BBC News, Yorkshire
Cuffe and TaylorA couple in the audience at a Gary Barlow concert experienced their Greatest Day so far, when the Take That star put his concert on pause as they got engaged.
Chris Calpin and Kirsty Peake attended Barlow’s show on Friday at Scarborough Open Air Theatre and were standing close to the stage as Ms Peake’s favourite number, A Million Love Songs, started to play.
As Mr Calpin popped the question and was met with cheers from the crowd, Barlow quickly realised what was going on and stopped the performance so he could dedicate his song to the couple.
Ms Peake said: “The next morning we woke up and thought, ‘did that actually happen?'”
Mr Calpin said the proposal had been in his mind for some months before the day of the show.
“It was planned since Christmas when I got her the ticket to go see Gary Barlow,” he explained.
“She’s waited nine years for it, so I thought I’d best pop the question.”
Ms Peake said she had always joked about wanting Barlow to attend her wedding to sing that particular ballad.
“Obviously Chris was listening, because he waited for that song,” she said.
Cuffe and TaylorMs Peake explained she had been busy filming Barlow’s performance when Mr Calpin tapped her on the shoulder and took her by surprise with his proposal.
“There were a few choice words when I realised what was going on,” she said.
From videos taken by other concertgoers, Ms Peake said it was clear the crowd appeared to point at them and got the singer’s attention.
“That’s when he realises what is going on and stops the show,” she said.
Footage showed the singer walking over to the couple and asking Ms Peake if she had said yes to Mr Calpin’s proposal.
Barlow can be seen to say: “I want you guys to make a little space for yourselves and have a little dance, because this number is dedicated to you both.
“Wishing you the best life together. Have a lovely future and thank you for being here tonight. Please dance this song away.”
The newly-engaged pair said they did not tell any family or friends that night.
However, they said they were recognised as they walked around Scarborough and the show-stopping proposal had since gone viral online.
Ms Peake said: “After speaking to a few people, they said it was all over TikTok.
“It was on Gary’s Instagram and Facebook – and it just went from there really.”
The couple said their first dance at the wedding would be to the same song, adding that Barlow might even get an invite to the festivities.
