Williams admits marriage proposal was a prank

Singer Robbie Williams admitted today that his marriage proposal to his actress girlfriend Ayda Field live on Australian radio had been a prank.

He denied he and Ayda had become engaged, but the jocular proposal was so convincing it fooled even his own mother.

Williams posted a short message on his official blog which read: “Hey all. We are not engaged. rob x”

However, it would seem his mother was left in the dark and when she spoke on Radio 5 Live yesterday.

Jan Williams, said she was out shopping for an engagement card, adding: “I’m really pleased for them. I’ve got a daughter-in-law.”

The confusion arose when the former Take That star asked Field to marry him live on Sydney’s 2Day FM, sealing the deal with a makeshift ring loaned from the show’s host, Jackie O.

Williams said: “Will you marry me? I love you so much, would you mind being my betrothed until the end of time?”

Field replied: “I would love to be your betrothed until the end of time.”

Without a ring to offer, the radio presenter quickly removed her “froggie” ring and offered it as a substitute.

“Give us your finger, kiddo,” Williams said, and presented her with the loaned ring.

The surprise on-air proposal left many wondering if the singer was serious.

Suspicions appeared confirmed when his representatives in the UK said: “He did say it, but he did it in a jocular manner – they are not engaged.”

But his mother admitted she had known of her son’s intention for about a week so the news was “no surprise” when it came.

“I’m very excited, I’m really pleased,” she said. “They’ve been together for nearly three years so it’s about time.”

She also joked that she might be back out shopping for a hat soon, with a wedding not too far in the future.

However, in this latest twist it would seem Williams owes his excited mother an apology.