Romantic uses gigantic billboard to propose to girlfriend – and asks for answer by TEXT
Boyfriend Gareth Illidge plucked up the courage to make a BIG romantic gesture to his girlfriend by designing a billboard
A BOLD boyfriend proposed to his girlfriend by plastering it over a giant billboard - and asking her to reply by TEXT.
Gareth Illidge, 29, also added a string of emojis to his very public gesture - and the hastag "don't say no this cost a fortune".
The 29-year-old proposed to Becci Thourgood, also 29, opted for the ring, kiss and church emoji - before cheekily including the aubergine.
The graphic designer, from Pontefract, West Yorks, took the day off and drove Becci to a cafe near the billboard.
Once they got out of the car, Gareth got on one knee and proposed to her.
Luckily she was pleased by the audacious proposal - as were passersby - and said "yes" to her future hubby.
Gareth said: "I wanted to do something out of the ordinary by asking the big question on a local billboard.
"I think the main reason was because I'm quite a shy person and wanted to do something a little out of character.
"Thankfully she said 'yes' and we had builders honking their vans at us and people from The Travellers Rest pub came out to cheer us on.
"I'm very pleased with how it all went."
He added: "We've since had dozens of phone calls from people saying they'd seen the billboard and loved it.
"It makes for a good story to tell people rather than doing something cliché.
"She was really surprised by it, and possibly a little embarrassed."
Paul Inman, director of Leeds-based Airoutdoor, said: "This is probably the most unusual use of our billboards to date. It's great to play a small part in such a special occasion and we wish them the best of luck for the future."
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