Alan Hughes, presenter of Ireland AM and prominent panto star in the Dublin theatre scene, has proposed to his civil partner Karl Broderick live on air on TV3’s flagship morning show during a discussion on marriage equality.

Popping the question on the Ireland AM sofa, the presenter chose his moment after an interview with guest Colm O’Gorman, executive director of Amnesty Ireland and one of the leading figures calling for a yes vote in the historic referendum on marriage quality in May of this year.

On the show, Hughes revealed that he had met his songwriter partner Broderick before the decrimilisation of homosexuality in Ireland in 1993.

“We hid our relationship for years,” Hughes said, revealing that he remained in the closet in order to not damage his nascent career as a television presenter.

Last week, after overcoming a number of legal challenges, the Marriage Bill 2015 was signed into law, and now same-sex couples in the Republic of Ireland will be able to marry for the first time. A vote on marriage equality in Northern Ireland was narrowly defeated after a veto.

“I just felt it was the right time with the week that’s in it, with the passing of the Marriage Bill,” Hughes said.

Viewers quickly took to social media to congratulate the engaged pair and wish them well for their future:

@AndreaMarySmith @karlbroderick @IrelandAMTV3 amazing ., delighted for them,, amazing couple

— KaysFlowerSchool Dee (@BroochBouquetIE) November 3, 2015

@IrelandAMTV3 ahh that was beautiful Alan proposing to Carl it brought a year to my eye #congratulations # equality

— louiseb23 (@louiseb231) November 3, 2015

@IrelandAMTV3 @karlbroderick omg I cried. So beautiful Congratulations

— Amelia J Hunter (@ameliajhunter1) November 3, 2015

@IrelandAMTV3 Ah! Thought Alan was a bit giddy! Congratulations to you both. @karlbroderick

— Colm O'Gorman (@Colmogorman) November 3, 2015

For more TV news on Newstalk.com, please click here.