X FACTOR reject Emma Paine couldn't hide her shock when she was ousted from the show - but she cried tears of joy when the cameras stopped rolling, thanks to her Newport boyfriend.

For Chris Friend, 31, of Liswerry, popped the question to the love of his life and put a smile on the face of the singer, whose duets with blind musician Peter Jones have captivated the nation.

Chris and Emma, 23, met in a Nottingham nightclub four years ago. He got down on one knee after last Saturday's ITV1 and ITV2 shows following a brief appearance on camera to say how proud he was of his girlfriend.

Emma and Peter - known as 2 To Go - were ousted from the show after constant criticism from pop's Mr Nasty, Simon Cowell, who described them as the sort of band you'd see performing in a hotel.

But Cowell's criticisms couldn't wipe the smile off Emma's face after the marriage proposal.

Mr Friend, a former Lliswerry High School pupil, who now lives in Nottingham, said: "We've been together for around four years and talked about marriage.

"Saturday night was spur of the moment. "I had a couple of glasses of champagne to settle my nerves and was over the moon when she said 'yes'.

"I was so proud of 2 To Go, they made it from 50,000 to the last seven." A delighted Emma added: "When we came off the show my family and Chris' family were waiting, he got down on one knee and proposed, despite having a foot in a cast after a badminton accident.

"I had to help him back up. "I was crying tears of joy."

The couple have yet to set a date - Emma and Peter will be touring the UK with other X Factor contestants in February.

Peter is still looking forward to the future. He told the Argus: "We were a bit disappointed when we lost but we knew we went out in style.

"I hope one of the groups will win, but I think Tabby or Rowetta have a chance."