A chance seating arrangement at a journalism awards ceremony eight years sparked a lasting love story for two former regional journalists.

Chris McKeon and Sian Elvin found themselves sat next to eachother after each being nominated at the 2017 NCTJ Awards for Excellence, held at Hampton Court Palace.

Chris, who had been nominated for Student of the Year, was working at the Surrey Advertiser, now Surrey Live, while Sian, up for Multimedia Story of the Year, was at the Seveonoaks Chronicle

Neither walked away with an award, but friendship blossomed and after their professional paths crossed again during training days at Reach plc, they became a couple.

2017: Sian and Chris at the NCTJ awards on the night they met

Now engaged, the couple have reflected on their journey, their journalism careers, and the serendipitous role the NCTJ played in bringing them together.

“We would love to know who organised the seating plan,” they joked.

Chris, now a lobby correspondent with PA, decided to return to Hampton Court to propose to Sian last year on their three-year anniversary, while in the midst of general election coverage.

Sian recalls: “That morning, I gave Chris his anniversary presents, and he told me, ‘You can’t have yours yet.’

“When we got to the beautiful gardens at Hampton Court, he asked if I wanted my present. I casually said, ‘Yeah, sure,’ not realising what was happening.

“Then I saw him get down on one knee, and it hit me – this was the moment.”

After leaving Sevenoaks, Sian helped launch My London before joining the Metro.  She is now news editor at The Independent.

This year’s Awards for Excellence ceremony is taking place at Halle St Peter’s in Manchester on 4 April.

2024: The couple celebrate their engagement at Hampton Court Palace.