The Woolpack made the perfect backdrop to propose (Image: Gemma Jones / Daily Express)
A couple of Emmerdale fanatics have followed in the footsteps of some of the show’s most famous names by getting engaged in the iconic village, where the is set. village has been the setting for countless proposals over the years but none more surprising than the impromptu popping of the question by Steve O’Donnell, 57, from Newton-Le-Willows on the steps of The Woolpack pub.
Steve’s spare-of-the-moment proposal to Debbie Cunningham, 54, hadn’t been in the planning until later in October but fate urged Steve to scrap his original plans and do it in a more spontaneous manner. The superfan was in the heart of , surrounded by a crowd of guests during an Star Tour, when he got down on one knee.
During a Star Tour, guests are greeted by a mystery cast member during their 90-minute village tour. Steve couldn’t believe it when he saw Leyla Harding actress, Roxy Shahidi, revealed as the mystery cast member for their meet and greet – particularly pertinent given her on-screen character is a wedding planner and owns the fictional Take a Vow business.
Spurred on by this twist of fate, Steve felt like it was the perfect moment and an opportunity not to be missed, so he changed his plans and popped the question there and then.
Recounting their day and what led to the proposal, he said: “We have been avid fans for as long as we can remember and Debs has always told me that a tour of the village is on her bucket list.
Steve got down on one knee for the love of his life (Image: Continuum Attractions)
“The day was just meant to be a nice day out for us learning about the show and meeting one of the stars but it took a surprise turn I couldn’t possibly have seen coming.
“Initially, I had planned to ask for her hand in marriage over a family dinner at the end of October but when it was revealed that Leyla from Take a Vow was our mystery cast member, it felt as if fate was giving me a nudge.”
Latest data from Continuum Attractions, the operator of Village Tour, revealed that 65 per cent of all tour visits are to celebrate an occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or Christmas. However, that had never been Steve’s intention.
The couple’s love story initially began two years ago, when the couple met during a night out in Warrington. After briefly crossing paths on the street, fate brought them together again later in the evening when they agreed to meet for a date the next day.
Describing their chance encounter during a night out, where Debbie had been with a friend and Steve was with his son and a friend, he explained: “After a little while in a bar, my son said, ‘dad that lady at the bar is looking at you, proper looking at you’. I turned around and our eyes met. I loved the way she was looking at me.
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The happy couple met in Warrington on a night out (Image: Continuum Attractions)
“I waved her over and we began talking. Bravado had set in after a few drinks so I plucked up the courage to ask her out. She responded by asking me to wait until I was sober, with a cheeky smile.
“I texted her the next day and we arranged to meet up near where she worked. We couldn’t stop looking at each other and chatting. We’ve never looked back.”
With their wedding set for next autumn, Steve and Debbie’s journey adds the latest chapter to ’s storied history of romance and showcases Village Tour’s ability to create unforgettable moments for fans of the show.
With Christmas just around the corner, viewers wanting to enjoy ’s magic and follow in the footsteps of their favourite characters can give the gift of a Star Tour. Previously guests have included with Jeff Hordley, Emma Atkins and Lisa Riley – so you never know who might meet. .