Kerry Katona has announced her engagement to boyfriend George Kay, a 33-year-old ex-rugby league player, after he proposed at the top of the Blackpool Tower last night (April 13).

Kay is said to have gone down on one knee in front of Katona’s four children in a specially arranged private section of the tower. The oldest of the children - Molly, aged 12 - then presented their mother with a diamond and gold engagement ring.

The couple have been denying engagement rumours since last month’s holiday in Dubai but now that Kay, who previously worked as a bodyguard for his new fiancée, has popped the question Katona has been more than happy to confirm their news:

“'I’m thrilled but a bit overwhelmed by it all.

“There were roses and champagne and George got down on one knee. It was the most romantic thing in the world. I am so happy.”

Katona, 32, who was under the illusion that the group were out for dinner, has also said:

“I was totally in shock about it, ­especially as I knew nothing, but my girls knew what was going on. I thought George was taking us out for a meal, but realised there was no one else there in the section we were in.

“He got down on one knee and said I was his world and that me and the kids were his family and would I make him the happiest man in the world by ­marrying him? All the kids were screaming ‘say yes Mummy’ and they were really ­excited.”

The Atomic Kitten star, who recently appeared on ITV show The Big Reunion, has been married previously to singer/songwriter Brian McFadden in 2002 and taxi driver Mark Croft in 2007. She has been dating new husband-to-be Kay for around nine months.

Katona was in expectedly good spirits this morning, tweeting to followers:

"Good morning twitter land!! Just woke up with a very very heavy left hand?? Ooooo it's my engagement ring!! Woohoo @mrgsjkay xxxxxx"