A love struck man proposed to his stunned girlfriend by staging a 30 person flash mob in the middle of a shopping centre.
Charlotte Ashworth, 25, thought Phil Keene, 33, was taking her to have her makeup done for a family photo shoot on the day of the proposal.
But she was left stunned when 30 dancers, including Phil’s eight-year-old daughter Lillie, started performing a routine in front of her to a mash-up of her favourite songs.
Amazingly the dancers then each picked up a card and spelt out the words “Charlotte, will you marry me?” while Phil got down on one knee and popped the question.
Hundreds of shoppers then gathered around the spectacle and cheered as Charlotte held back the tears to say “yes.”
The amazing routine was performed at the Queensgate shopping centre in Peterborough, Cambs, to Tinie Tempah’s ‘Miami to Ibiza’, Jack Johnson’s ‘Better Together’ and Bruno Mars’ song ‘Marry You’.
Business manager Phil said: “I was shaking, especially when the music went wrong.
“And I almost gave the game away and said it was an engagement surprise when I meant an anniversary surprise.”
Charlotte, a sales representative, said she had “absolutely no idea” what Phil and his daughter had been planning for four months.
She said: “Phil said his godchild’s family were having a photo shoot and they wanted us to be in it.
“So he took me in to town and I had my make up done at Benefit. Many men would not think about that, but he knew I would want to have my make up on if he was going to film me.
“I thought we were walking to the photo shoot and then suddenly these people started dancing in front of us.
“I saw Phil give them a thumbs up so I started to be suspicious. I was really confused when Lillie joined in.
“He had made a mix of our three favourite songs. I started to get the hint when the Bruno Mars Marry You song came on.
“Then they all put up their letters and spelt out the message. It was amazing.
“I had absolutely no idea. I am amazed that Lillie managed to keep it a secret for four months too – high five to her.
“They told me Lillie was going to an after school club, but it was actually dance lessons.
“I could not see my friends and family as they were on the top balcony so I had no idea they were there.
“Afterwards Phil took me and my family to a lovely hotel where he had booked us the honeymoon suite and we had a big meal with everyone.”
Dozens of Charlotte’s family travelled 200 miles from Lancashire, including her proud parents and 89-year-old grandma Joan, for the secret event on October 19.
The 30 dancers, who are pupils at Stanground Academy, Peterborough, had been practicing since July.
Teacher Beckie Barnes, who is a friend of Phil’s, said: “I thought it was a very romantic gesture which I was really proud to be a part of, as were the students.”
