A recruitment consultant stole the show at a Jimmy Carr gig when he proposed to his girlfriend through the award-winning funnyman.

Adam Olver, 28, of Coulsdon, planned the surprise for partner Selina Lovett, 28, for months in the run-up to the gig on Saturday.

The recruitment sales consultant invited family and friends of the pair, who have been together for five years, to the show.

He said: “Just before half time, Jimmy asked if there were any questions from the crowd. I said, ‘I have a question, but it is not for you’.

“I was absolutely bricking it.”

Mr Olver said: “They put all the lights on and Jimmy made everyone stand up and then I proposed to her and he cracked a few jokes.

“We had a glass of champagne and met him afterwards. He told me I was punching above my weight.

“Selina once said to me, if I was going to propose to her I should not do it in public, it was like a red rag to a bull.”

Mr Olver said his back up plan was to grafitti a proposal into a field.

The couple, who have a two-year-old daughter, plan to marry in 2012.

Mr Carr wrote about the event on Twitter: “Croydon tonight and an audience member called Adam Olver proposed to Selina – she’s not even pregnant – a first for Croydon. Congratulations.”