Former EastEnders actress Sally Hodgkiss is set to tie the knot after a heartwarming on-stage proposal from her comedian partner, Rufus Hound. The exciting news broke after Hound, known for his antics on Celebrity Juice, popped the question during a live performance at Wilton’s Music Hall in London.
Rufus Hound, famed for his comedic flair alongside Keith Lemon on Celebrity Juice, surprised fans and colleagues alike with the romantic gesture. The 45-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the news, expressing his profound love for Hodgkiss: “In the past two years @sallyhodgkiss has redefined how completely loved or seen I ever believed someone could make me feel. We talk and nourish each other in a way that’s almost unbelievable to me. Last night, I asked her to marry me.”
The proposal happened during their performance in the Improvathon at Wilton’s Music Hall. As Sally took her final bow, Rufus seized the moment, dropping to one knee before the astonished audience. Recounting the emotional scene. He shared, “Wordlessly, I mimed that I was unlikely to be able to speak, as I was totally overwhelmed. Then I dropped to one knee and she looked confused – this would be an odd twist for the characters we’d been playing (siblings as they were). It was only when I spoke her name she realised what was happening. Some people took pictures.”
Rufus Hound describes the rollercoaster of emotions after the proposal
Describing the whirlwind of emotions, Rufus humorously noted the initial confusion as the audience and Sally, who had been playing siblings on stage, realised the true nature of the moment. “It was only when I spoke her name she realized what was happening,” he revealed. Sally’s heartfelt “yes” sealed the joyous occasion.
Social media erupted with messages of congratulations for the couple. One witness shared their experience, exclaiming, “If the show wasn’t amazing enough already, that made staying awake for the weekend all the more worth it!” Others echoed the sentiment, showering Rufus and Sally with well-wishes for their future together.
Sally Hodgkiss, known for her role as Steph on EastEnders, has graced screens with her talent and charisma. In 2019, her character was a waitress at Masood’s restaurant. Her journey from Walford to the improv stage reflects her versatility as an actress, and now, she embarks on this new chapter with Rufus.
The engagement comes after Rufus publicly acknowledged his relationship with Sally last summer. The couple, who attended Glastonbury together, shared their love story with the world, with Rufus declaring, “No-one has ever loved me as much as this woman.”
Rufus, previously married to Beth Johnson, shares two children with his ex-wife. Despite the challenges of divorce, he found solace and joy in his relationship with Sally, describing her as “all things wonderful.”