Mansfield panto star pops the question - live on stage

Returning by popular demand following his stint as Silly Billy in Sleeping Beauty two years ago, Adam is currently playing Smee in Peter Pan at the town centre venue.

He recently tweeted: “I absolutely love @MansfieldPalace cast and crew. I’ve never worked in a more lovelier place than this #oneteam #letsdothis #peterpan2016”.

However, there’s something – or rather someone – who Adam loves that little bit more than the local theatre, as customers were witness to at Friday night’s magical pantomime performance.

During Smee’s sing-a-long section of the show, he nervously announced that he was going to break from tradition to present a Christmas gift to his girlfriend of over four years, Britian’s Got Talent star, Karen Tomkins.

Little did she - or the audience – know, that whilst Tinker Bell (Nick Jr’s Holly Atterton) was cheekily distracting Karen with a big sparkly gift box, Adam was dropping down onto one knee (cue shouts of “it’s behind you”) ready to ask the biggest question of the night!

Luckily, Karen said yes! (Oh yes, she did!)

Adam said: “I’m over the moon that Karen said yes… if she had said no it would have gone viral and that would have been awkward!

“It’s been planned for over six months now and everyone knew but her. I can’t thanks Martin Dodd (UK Productions’ producer) and of course the amazing staff at Mansfield Palace Theatre enough for keeping this secret. Mansfield is a special place for me and I’m so happy I got to share it with you all.”

Karen added: “It’s not really sunk in yet, I can’t believe it happened, but every time I tell someone I feel so happy and excited. Getting engaged this way was so amazing!”

Louise Atkin, Mansfield Palace Theatre’s marketing manager, was in on the act and tells us: “It was lovely to be part of such a magical, romantic gesture, which means Adam and Karen will always have fond memories of our beautiful theatre.”

Karen has been involved in showbusiness her whole life, so Adam thought it a fitting tribute to make his grand gesture on the place they both spend most of their days and nights – the stage.

Karen was a National Young Magician of the Year finalist aged 15, a feat that included performing a Bond-themed magic act at the famous Magic Circle in London, with Timothy Dalton as special guest.

Karen was part of illusionist duo David and Karen who auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent. They impressed all of the judges and went straight through to the live semi-finals where they came third in their heat and second in the public vote.

Karen’s latest solo illusion show is called 2BDazzle and is fresh twist on traditional big box tricks. She will be spending the festive season working in both The Sooty Show and Zippo’s Circus at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland extravaganza.

Tickets for Peter Pan at Mansfield Palace Theatre are flying out of the door with 90% sold. The show runs until Saturday, December 31. To check availability and book tickets, visit www.mansfieldpalace.co.uk or call 01623 633133.