Tom Daley and long-term boyfriend Dustin Lance Black today proved that celebrity engagement announcements don’t have to just mean ‘ring selfies’ and magazine deals.
The couple chose to announce their engagement in an advert in The Times, following the same approach used by Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter last year.
However, not all celebrity engagement announcements have been as traditional. While some have been sweet and romantic, others have been showy and awkward.
Here’s the run-down of the best (and worst) celebrity engagement announcements:
BEST
Prince William and Kate Middleton
As heir to the throne, it was expected that Prince William’s engagement announcement would involve a press conference, photocall and interview. The couple seemed to take the formalities in their stride and were strikingly honest, saying that despite being together for eight years, "the timing is right now”.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita
The Modern Family star announced his engagement to boyfriend, Justin Mikita in a video post in 2012. Admitting that he’d “popped the big Q", Tyler Ferguson also used the video to launch his foundation Tie The Knot, which campaigns for LGBTQ equality.
Jake Roche and Jesy Nelson
The Little Mix singer announced her engagement to Roche through the band's Instagram page. The image shows Roche down on one knee in front of Nelson, while Ed Sheeran is serenading the pair and playing his guitar. Roche then thanked Sheeran on Twitter for “travelling 5 hours” to sing the couple’s favourite song while he proposed.
WORST
David Beckham and Victoria Adams
After David proposed in 1998, ‘Posh & Becks’ stepped outside to address the awaiting media. The awkward video below shows an embarrassed, but smiling Victoria telling reporters it was “lovely” and “a surprise”.
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries
Kardashian announced her engagement to the basketball player in an exclusive cover interview with People Magazine in 2011. The proposal in Kardashian’s bedroom complete with rose petals spelling out ‘Will you Marry Me’ then aired on Keeping up with the Kardashians.
Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg
McCarthy surprised her colleagues on The View, telling them “I just got engaged.” This then led to screaming from McCarthy and her fellow panellists, all while the show aired live on TV, in 2014. The former New Kids on the Block bandmate then emerged, surprising his finance while the audience rose to their feet to applaud.
