A hopeless romantic injected some magic into his proposal by enlisting the help of a street magician when he popped the question.

Gavin Pepper, 37, from Strood, was shopping at Westfield London with his partner Stephanie Cunningham, 26, when they were approached by a magician.

But it was soon revealed he had more than just a few tricks up his sleeve, when the stunned bride-to-be opened a folded playing card to see the words 'will you marry me?' magically appear before her eyes.

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The magician, Luca Gallone, 22, from Burton-on-Trent, wrote the names ‘Gavin’ and ‘Stephanie’ on the playing card, folded it up and handed to Stephanie, telling her to “hold it to your heart”.

The couple were asked to hold hands while they thought of something they might like to say to each other, before instructing Stephanie to open the card and read the words inside.

Gavin said: “I’ve always been one for romantic gestures so wanted to make sure the proposal was something really different and memorable.

“The run up to the event was incredibly nerve-wracking. We had arranged to be in a certain place at a set time so the magician could approach us and perform some tricks.

“I don’t think Stephanie suspected a thing, so it was amazing seeing her face when she unfolded the playing card and saw the message inside."

Surprised shoppers cheered as Gavin knelt down on one knee and presented a sparkling engagement ring.

Stephanie said: “I’ve always loved magic tricks so didn’t really think too much when we were approached by the magician in Westfield. It wasn’t until the card was unfolded that I started to realise Gavin was actually in on the trick too.

“I really didn’t expect it at all – it was such an amazing surprise and a truly magical moment we won’t be forgetting any time soon!

“Gavin is always surprising me with little romantic gestures but I had no idea he had this one up his sleeve. I look forward to enjoying many more adventures with him in the future.”

The elaborate proposal was made possible after Gavin enlisted the help of jewellers Beaverbrooks to make his plan a reality.

Lorna Haddon, diamond ring and jewellery buyer at Beaverbrooks, said: "A proposal is such an important occasion – it’s the little moments and details that make it extra-special, so this Christmas we wanted to help one couple create a magical moment they would remember forever.

"Using a street magician certainly added the element of surprise and we’re thrilled to have had the chance to work with Gavin to make his magical proposal a reality.”

Luca, who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2015, was enlisted by Beaverbrooks to help with the proposal, and had been set up in the shopping centre performing tricks on the public ready for the couple’s arrival.

One trick saw him make a ring magically appear on a necklace chain in a flash of fire, and in another he surprised shoppers by pulling a Gucci watch out of an empty box before their eyes.

The couple are hoping for Luca to perform at their wedding.