Chris Williams, 25, aka Harley the Clown, proposed to Claire Eddowes, also 25, during a performance by the Netherlands National Circus in Colwyn Bay. Mr Williams, from Llandudno, said going down on one knee in front of 500 people was the most nerve wracking thing he’s ever done.

“I was really frightened she’d say no, but luckily after a few seconds she said yes, and the audience clapped and cheered,” he said. He told how he had bought tickets for himself, Miss Eddowes, his mother and Miss Eddowes' parents to see the circus - and then planned the proposal with military precision.

“I went along to the circus on Monday and arranged to make the proposal. During the interval I said I needed to go to the toilet, but went back stage and changed into my clown outfit, When the show re-started Ross Presto the MC went into the audience and after fooling around a bit got hold of Claire’s hand and led her down into the ring. At that point I came out from behind the curtains and went down on one knee. She just looked shocked and started shaking, I was shaking too but managed to ask the question. She knows me both as Chris and as Harley the Clown so I don’t think she was too surprised that I proposed as Harley."

The couple, who met two years ago and recently set up home together in Eglwysbach, plan to marry next year.

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