David pops question on-stage for biggest role of his life

David Martin (28) shocked the audience at Rotherham Civic Theatre after the curtain fell on Monday night’s opening performance of Funny Money by taking to the stage alone holding a single red rose.

The stage manager, a member of The Phoenix Players, nervously dropped down on one knee and called out to his girlfriend Kelly Scott, who was picked out eight rows from the front by a spotlight.

The audience gasped as David produced a sparkling diamond and platinum ring and said the four magic words: “Will you marry me?” to his sweetheart of seven years.

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But David had no reason to be anxious as Kelly rose from her seat and joined him on  stage where she made him “the happiest man alive”\_much to the delight of the audience, who cheered and clapped as Kelly said: “Yes.”

David said: “It was a very emotional moment. I was very nervous. When I got down on one knee I was shaking and went bright red.

“I didn’t write anything down so I wasn’t sure what I was going to say.

“Throughout the show I kept thinking I might chicken out. But I’m so glad I did it. I do try to be romantic.”

Kelly, a care worker from Kimberworth Park, said that the occasion was a bit of a blur but that she was extremely happy.

“I had absolutely no idea, it was totally unexpected,” she said.

“At the time I was really embarrassed and could have killed him.

“But I’m so happy that he proposed.

“He picked the ring out himself and it’s lovely. He'’s done really well with that.

“I’ve already started to look at venues online, there’s a lot of work to do but it is really exciting.”

David, of Bramley, is a self-employed antiques dealer by day and has been a member of The Phoenix Players for nine years.

During that time, he has taken centre stage in a number of productions including Dads Army and Are You Being Served?\_but this performance  was a first for him.

“I’ve done acting before but this was quite different,” he said. “This was real life.

“Only a couple of people knew in advance as I needed their help to set it up.

“A number of our friends and family were in the audience on Monday which made it even more nerve wracking.

“A lot of people have since told me I’m mad but everyone is really excited and delighted for us.”

David and Kelly met through friends and started going out together almost seven years ago.

David said: “I’d been thinking about proposing to Kelly for a while then putting it off.

“This time I decided: ‘Right, I’ll do it now’ and I really did do it in style.

“We’re hoping to get married as soon as possible. I’d do it tomorrow if I could.”

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