Riverdance star Meadhbh Kennedy was proposed to on stage after performing lead for a matinee show in London today (December 5).
The dancer received a proposal from boyfriend of nearly six years and fellow Irish dancer Owen Jones at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith as the cast stood on stage after the final number.
Live streamed via the show’s Instagram account, after the cast finished performing executive producer Padraic Moyles came onto stage to thank the audience for attending the 25th Anniversary tour.
He also expressed gratitude to fans who had held on to their tickets since 2019, and to those who were attending the show for the first time.
He added that the cast couldn’t be where they are without the love and support of those close to them. He then said that Meadhbh’s boyfriend was in the audience for the show, and asked “Owen, are you out there?”
Owen, who is a former professional Irish dancer and performed with Lord of the Dance, came onto the stage from the wings, met by cheers from the audience and cast.
“When we met nearly six years ago now, we were both on tour together with another Irish dance show production,” Owen said. “When we first started seeing each other at the end of 2016, it was tough because at the same time, it was when you achieved your lifelong dream of touring with this amazing production.”
“I never held you back and I wanted you to achieve your dream, and boy was I right to, because look at you now.”
He continued: “From that day onwards, we were both cast in different dance shows on two completely different tour schedules. In the years that followed, we would constantly keep missing one another, like passing ships in the night.
“In between tours we would always make time to see one another because we both more than anything wanted us to work. Most people probably would have given up with the lack of time that they were actually getting to spend together, but we didn’t, we stuck at it.”
He went on to say he was proud of his girlfriend for what she had achieved and how she managed to stay positive during lockdown. “It took you away from what you love doing most – being up here dancing to an audience,” he said. “But one great thing it did do was bring us together.”
“Watching you up here, you should be so proud. If only you could see yourself in my eyes and you’d see you shine.”
“I wanted to make this as special as possible and make this an evening we will not forget, and what says ‘I love you’ more than by declaring it in front of 3000 strangers?”
He then said that he wanted to ask a very important question, before getting down one knee.
Meadhbh jumped up and down saying yes before Owen put the ring on her finger and they hugged.
The pair then danced the Riverdance number together before taking their final bow and returning backstage with the rest of the cast.
You can watch the full proposal on Instagram here.
