First Dates fan favourites engaged despite catastrophic incurable health diagnosis

dailystar.co.uk:

First Dates star Mike Sumner has popped the question to his romantic match Zoe Welch.The pair, who met on the hit Channel 4 show in 2020, quickly became favourites on the show for a remarkable moment which saw Zoe neck a pint in one.Her stunned date, Mike, replied: "F***ing hell."But two years on, the pair are now engaged and ensuring they enjoy the most of their time together following Mike's heartbreaking health diagnosis.Since meeting Zoe, Mike has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and may only have five years to live as the condition is incurable.The couple filmed the show in spring 2020 but it was only screened last October, and quickly became favourites after the episode aired.One viewer wrote: "Zoe and Mike are my favourites, wishing them a lifetime of happiness."Another wrote: "Zoe and Mike on First Dates are made for each other."After two years of romance, Mike, from Grimsby in Lincolnshire, now uses a walking frame following his health condition.The ex-driving instructor decided to pop the question during a lovely lakeside stroll on holiday in Florida.Mike said: "Because of my mobility problems I couldn't do it on bended knee.

When we got back we cracked open a bottle of Prosecco we had waiting in the fridge and then went out for a quiet meal. It was just perfect."He added: "I refuse to be gloomy about how long I am going to live.

I am determined to live in the moment with Zoe and make the best of what time I have left."Zoe, who works for a banking group, said: "We had an extremely long wait before we could date properly because of lockdown.