Great British Bake Off 2019 winner David Atherton gets engaged to boyfriend

Bake Off 2019 champion David Atherton has revealed he is engaged to his boyfriend Nik, after he proposed during a romantic trip to Bulgaria. 

David, 37, shared an Instagram photo of the newly-engaged couple alongside an emotional caption about the moment he proposed. 

He gushed ‘I’m not sure I actually asked the question because I was basically crying so much.’ 

David wrote alongside the happy photo ‘We put a ring on it (it doesn’t fit, but I measured my own finger badly with a tape measure….not to be advised)

‘I’m not sure I actually asked the question because I was basically crying so much. I didn’t have a plan B so I’m glad he said yes.’

‘The smiles on our faces say it all, AND Nik is speechless as he says he’s still processing (the first time ever I’m one step ahead of this guy).’ 

David added that the moment was ‘especially special’ because he never thought he would be legally be allowed to marry as a gay man.  

‘This moment is especially special because it seems so surreal. Growing up both Nik and I didn’t think we’d ever be able to legally and publicly celebrate our commitment❤️,’ he wrote.

‘We need to keep fighting for all those living in places where this isn’t possible or where there is hostility. Love wins’.

David and Nik have been together for three years, and back in June David shared another sweet post about his boyfriend, writing that it is the first relationship he’s had where he’s been proud to be open about his sexuality. 

‘I met this guy and he taught me to love myself,’ David wrote. ‘Up until this point at the age of 34 I’d never introduced a boyfriend to my family, I still felt uncomfortable with any kind of physical intimacy in public, and still felt shame from being told repeatedly that LGBTQI+ people should not live openly and free.’

‘Today I’m celebrating love, proud to be queer, and continuing the fight for rights.’

Yorkshireman David was crowned the winner of Bake Off 2019 last October, beating favourite Steph Blackwell in a surprise result. 

He has been working hard since his win, releasing a book for children in August, titled My First Cook Book.

The children’s cookbook is full of quick meals and delicious bakes with easy-to-follow steps. 

Sharing details of his book, David revealed on Instagram: ‘This project has definitely been a marathon and not a sprint, but I’ve loved every minute.’