A former winner of Stars in Their Eyes: Kids was "mesmerised" after her public proposal went viral across Liverpool.
Laura Jenkins was just 12 when she won the series in 2003 as Connie Francis. And the now 32-year-old has found fame again after her public proposal was shared by the ECHO across social media this morning.
The ECHO was sent a photo of a plane that flew across the Albert Dock yesterday evening pulling a banner that said: "Laura, will you marry me my princess?" Speaking to the ECHO today, Sunday, May 21, Laura said the plane was organised by her now fiancé Chris Parrott, 46.
READ MORE: First Somali Muslim woman on Liverpool Council will 'give voice to the voiceless'
Laura, from Huyton, said: "Chris told me we were going on a date so I went out to get my hair done - you know how us Liverpool girls like to dress up. He originally told me 7pm but texted me when I was out saying it was now 5pm. I had to cut my hair appointment short and rushed home - I got ready in 10 minutes.
"We had a lovely meal and then he asked if I wanted to go on the Wheel of Liverpool. We were in the VIP section and he got champagne and strawberries for me - it was so romantic.
"I was pointing out different things we could see from the wheel and then I saw the plane went past and I was like 'it's my name'. I turned around and I saw he was down on one knee. It was such a lovely experience."
Chris, also from Huyton, told the ECHO: "It was something I have planned for a while. I was thinking about doing it in Benidorm but decided I wanted to do it here at home. I've got a mate who runs security at the dock so he helped make sure the timing was all done.
"Laura was mesmerised by it. We weren't expecting it to go viral - to me it was just doing something nice that she would remember. Laura is amazing to me - she makes me very happy."
Laura only met Chris 10 months ago when he came to her house to give a quote on the driveway. She added: "He asked me out and at first I kept him on his toes but soon went out with him for a coffee."
The pair instantly bonded over their shared love for the arts. Following her success on Stars in Their Eyes: Kids, Laura sang all across Europe before going back to university and training as a sexual health nurse.
As well as owning a number of businesses, Chris works in the film industry as a producer. His film "Our Kid", starring Ricky Tomlinson and Leanne Best, is currently being promoted in Cannes.
Laura, who has two children while Chris has nine, told the ECHO all their friends and family were asking the pair if they had seen the ECHO Facebook this morning. She added: "There were so many lovely comments. I couldn't believe it.
"I didn't have social media on my phone but redownloaded it to see what people were saying. It was all such a surprise. Chris talks a lot about what he does but he kept all this so quiet which was quite shocking.
"It's normally a private moment but this has gone all over the internet. Chris and I adore each other - we are each other's world."
READ NEXT:
Woman drops three stone in eight weeks after looking in the mirror
Land deal that led to a secretive offshore company owning block hit by ‘illegal eviction’ attempt
'Special brother' among 94 tributes, death and funeral notices this week
Warning to gang members to 'not feel comfortable in your homes'
Superdrug's £15 'miracle in a pot' anti-ageing cream works like Botox
