Australian romantic flies 9,000 miles to pop the question on Coronation Street cobbles
AN Australian man flew his girlfriend to the other side of the world, so he could pop the question on the famous cobbles of her beloved Coronation Street.
Charlie Acton, 31, was stunned when the doors to Nick's Bistro opened to reveal her partner down on one knee on the set of the ITV soap.
A sparkling ring and a huge banner asking her 'Charlie, will you marry me?' was met with an immediate "yes".
Romantic Keith Monks, also 31, had travelled 9,000 miles to spring the surprise proposal on his childhood sweetheart Miss Acton, who never misses an episode of the popular show.
The pair, from Perth, had travelled to Britain to visit friends and Mr Monks secretly enlisted the help of Coronation Street The Tour, which opened for business earlier this year when filming was moved from the old Quay Street set to Trafford Quays.
Mr Monks said: "Charlie is a huge fan of Coronation Street and so I thought it would be a great idea to propose on the tour. I was so happy that it was a surprise for her, it will be a fantastic story to tell our grandkids in the future."
Andy Steele, who was Mr Monks' tour guide, made sure that Miss Acton was the one to open the door to Nick's Bistro for the grand reveal on the Weatherfield set.
I am a die-hard Coronation Street fan and this was just brilliant. Even though we live in Australia, I never miss an episode. I am so happy.
Waiting outside the doors were close friends Ellie-May Flannery and her partner Jay Pennington, who were holding the banner, and Mr Monk who waited with baited breath to pop the question.
The couple were also greeted by congratulations and cheers from a crowd of supporters.
Miss Acton said: "I had absolutely no idea.
"I am a die-hard Coronation Street fan and this was just brilliant. Even though we live in Australia, I never miss an episode. I am so happy."
The proposal came after Corrie's tour operator, Continuum Leading Attractions, announced that the former set now has a wedding licence and people can tie the knot inside the Rovers Return.
The certificate will allow non-religious marriages and civil ceremonies to be performed at the studio, where the ITV soap was filmed for 53 years.
The licence covers Stage One, home to indoor sets including the Rovers Return pub and the Underworld factory.
Fans can also wed in the homes of some of the show's most famous characters, from Jack and Vera Duckworth's old house to the Platt family's residence and Carla Barlow's flat.