A special moment took place on Ireland AM this morning as host Alan Hughes popped the question to Karl Broderick live on air.
TV3 studios are celebrating after Alan got down on one knee and asked his long-term partner to marry him.
The pair were on the show to discuss Ireland’s recent marriage equality referendum, when Alan shocked colleagues Sinead Desmond and Mark Cagney and viewers at home by proposing to his emotional beau, who of course said yes.
They have been together for 22 years, after first meeting in 1993 – in none other than McDonalds on Grafton Street!
In 2011 VIP Magazine exclusively covered their magical civil partnership, which was the first high profile ceremony in the country at the time.
Speaking to us at the time of the ceremony, attended by almost every famous face in Ireland, Alan told VIP what he would say to people who wouldn’t approve of him and Karl getting hitched.
“Live and let live, it’s that simple,” he said. “And I think if anyone who thought it wasn’t right had come to our wedding, and seen the love in that church, that ceremony, they would change their minds.”
Alan made the decision to propose today after the Marriage Bill was signed into law this week, legalising same sex marriage after May’s historic landmark referendum when 62% of voters supported the yes vote.
Wahooooooo Alan just proposed to @karlbroderick & he said yes!! #irelandam pic.twitter.com/f4jWapyAc7
— Ireland AM (@IrelandAMTV3) November 3, 2015
A wave of support has been flooding in on Twitter, with both showbiz pals and Ireland AM viewers congratulating the smitten pair.
“Congrats you guys,” tv star Darren Kennedy wrote, while co-host Ciara Doherty said: “Who said romance was dead? Congratulations guys. Brought a smile to my face!”
Meanwhile, those who were watching at home said the proposal brought a tear to their eyes.
“Omg bawling watching Alan Hughes proposing to @karlbroderick on @IrelandAMTV3 AM. 2 gorgeous guys #marriageequality,” posted one viewer, while another said, “Congratulations to Alan and Karl, you have made the sun shine on a foggy morning.”
Speaking today after popping the question, Alan said: “I just felt it was the right time with the week that’s in it, with the passing of the Marriage Bill. Karl proposed to me after Celebrity Salon and I just felt this was the right time to make my feelings clear to him – and what better place than the Ireland AM set, which is very much like home, surrounded by my TV family.”
