Bride says yes to proposal at Wyvern panto (From Swindon Advertiser)

Bride says yes to proposal at Wyvern panto

8:20am Monday 17th December 2012 in News

ALADDIN and Jasmine weren’t the only happy couple at the Wyvern’s pantomime yesterday.

The stars of the show were in fact Darren Scott and Fiona Bobbitt from Upavon after they got engaged on stage in front of an auditorium of excited audience members.

Darren’s proposal was kept secret by Wyvern staff and panto stars including Keith Chegwin, who introduced the groom-to-be on stage at the end of the show.

After answering ‘yes’ from her seat at the back of the theatre where she was surrounded by members of the Upavon Community Group, and twin daughters Tori and Keeleigh, Fiona was called on to the stage by Cheggers where she was given her ring.

She said: “I am really shocked, I had no idea at all. I thought he was just going to the toilet, then Keith Chegwin said his name and everyone started asking me where he was, and suddenly he was on stage. “I’m shaking so much, I can’t believe it. The kids were crying when we got back to our seats.”

The couple, who met at a friend’s party, have been together for 22 years.

“We hated each other when we first met,” said Fiona. “He was from one village and I was from another so there was a bit of a rivalry. I don’t know what changed but it went from there and we’ve been together ever since.”

Darren said: “We always were going to get married before we had children, but 10 years ago Fiona fell pregnant with the twins so we put it on hold and we just never got round to it.

“I wanted to do something different when I proposed, and we knew about the panto a few months ago now, so I thought it would be good. I contacted the Wyvern but I didn’t think it would be possible, but they were great.

“I’m so relieved, I didn’t even know her ring size or anything.”

Keith Chegwin, who plays Wishee Washee in the panto, said he was delighted to host the proposal live on stage.

“It was a first for me,” he said.

“I’ve done things like this on television before but never at a pantomime. “It’s funny because you start to feel nervous for him and I was thinking to myself ‘I hope she’s not going to say no’ but it was brilliant. “There was a really great atmosphere.

“The audience loved it and they are a lovely couple.”