Strictly engaged! Wolverhampton man pops the question on ballroom dance floor

Ballroom and Latin novices Charlotte Horton and Lewis Thompson were taught how to jive by professionals who have worked on Strictly Come Dancing before performing a routine at a huge charity event at Wolverhampton Racecourse.

As the couple wrapped up their performance and were about to walk off the stage, Miss Horton, age 30, was left stunned when her partner pulled her back and got down on one knee to propose.

Mr Thompson, age 23, managed to keep the ring in his jeans pocket throughout the dance inside a velvet bag.

Recruitment worker Miss Horton and warehouse manager Mr Thompson, who live in the nearby village of Seisdon, Staffordshire, signed up to Ultra Ballroom.

Participants learn to dance through an eight-week training course with professionals before raising money for Cancer Research UK at an event where they perform their routine.

Miss Horton and Mr Thompson signed up as their families have both been affected by cancer.

The couple trained with professionals Warren and Jane Bullock, who are stars of Channel 5 show Baby Ballroom, at their Zig Zag studio in Wolverhampton before the show.

The couple, dressed in 1950s-style outfits, performed a jive to Christina Aguilera's Candyman in front of hundreds of people.

Miss Horton said: "At the end of the dance we took our bow and were about to do our walk-off but Lewis pulled me back and got down on one knee.

"He was so sweet, he planned it with the event organisers and the DJ so it all went perfectly.

"He had the ring in a velvet bag and kept it in his jeans pocket throughout the whole dance - it was a good job they were tight.

"It was a real surprise and our families were there to see it so it was perfect. Of course, I said yes."

Now, after Mr Thompson's romantic proposal, Miss Horton said there is no pressure on him for Valentine's Day on Thursday.

She added: "Lewis is always surprising me with lovely things so normally he would have set the bar high for Valentine's Day.

"However, this year the pressure is off him as we're saving for the wedding now."

Visit ultraballroom.co.uk to find out more about the event.