Lembit Opik says no to TV proposal

Lembit Opik refused to propose to Gabriela Irimia when they appeared on ITV1's All Star Mr & Mrs.

The Lib Dem MP was asked to pop the question to his Cheeky Girl lover when they filmed an episode of the show last week.

However, watched by a live audience of 300, Lembit refused to comply with the request, which came from hosts Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton.

"It was so embarrassing," one audience member told The People. "There was an awkward silence. Poor Gabriela didn't know where to put herself when Lembit refused to ask her."

The couple competed alongside Coronation Street's Bill Roache (Ken Barlow) and Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe in the episode, which will be screened next month.

Lembit started dating Gabriela in 2006. He had previously been in a relationship with TV weathergirl Sian Lloyd.