Little Mix's Jesy Engaged To Rixton's Jake

Ed Sheeran has helped his good friend Jake Roche organise a surprise proposal for his girlfriend Jesy Nelson from Little Mix.

Boyband Rixton member Roche got down on one knee on stage at the Manchester Arena in front of Nelson as Sheeran sang the couple's favourite song, Tenerife Sea, nearby.

A picture was posted on Rixton's Facebook page showing a shocked Nelson covering her mouth with clasped hands as he opens a box with a ring inside.

The 22-year-old posted a message on the site that said: "A year ago today I met her at manchester arena, so it was only right, with a little help from my friend, that this happened. Best day of my life."

Sheeran is seen in the picture standing behind smiling.

The picture was also posted on Little Mix's official Twitter and Instagram sites with a message saying: "It is beautiful to see two people so in love! What a gorgeous couple! I wish you both nothing but happiness! #Congratulations @jesymix14 @jake_rixton oh and well done."

Roche later tweeted Sheeran thanking him for travelling for five hours to play the song during the proposal.

Sheeran responded by saying "my absolute pleasure" and thanked him back for buying him fast food.

Roche is the son of EastEnders actor Shane Richie and Coleen Nolan, a panellist on ITV's Loose Women and a former pop singer.

Rixton's debut single Me And My Broken Heart went to number one in the UK in March 2014 and went into the top 40 in several other charts around the world, including in America where it went platinum.

They have since had two other UK top 40 hits.

The Manchester band supported Sheeran on several dates of his latest US tour and played live in Liverpool on Saturday.

Little Mix, who were on stage in Manchester for the Key 103 Summer Live concert, were formed on the X Factor TV show in 2011 and went on to win.

They have had three UK number ones and seven other Top 40 hits and, despite limited single success in the United States, made it into the Top 10 in the album charts with their first two releases.

Like Roche, 24-year-old Nelson is reported to have attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School.