Following an intermittent courtship spanning a quarter of a century, Shane MacGowan of The Pogues and writer Victoria Mary Clarke have finally decided to get engaged.

Victoria Mary Clarke shows off her engagement ring to Pat Kenny and explains the circumstances that lead to the engagement. Shane MacGowan has,

Been popping the question for quite a while, and so has she, but never at the same time.

Victoria admits she went down one knee and proposed to Shane a long time ago. Shane has also proposed to Victoria on numerous occasions. However, this time was different as nobody proposed, so it must have been

Telepathic.

Victoria is coy when asked to explain what she loves about Shane but reveals he,

Tells me I’m beautiful most days, in fact every day.

Shane adds,

And I mean it.

Victoria has recently published ‘Angel in Disguise’ a book about conversations she had with angels who helped her through a nervous breakdown. She first met Shane in 1982 when she was 16 years old and she is certain he is her soulmate. She believes they were meant to meet and had met before in previous lives.

I think that when I met him I recognised him as somebody, even though I didn’t like him, I recognised him as somebody that I knew, you know, that I had a strong feeling for.

Contrary to expectations, the couple do not lead a rock and roll lifestyle and have a very normal existence. At home, Shane can usually be found watching television or DVDs.

This episode of ‘The Late Late Show’ was broadcast on 13 April 2007. The presenter is Pat Kenny.