Real life hot priest ‘spotted a cross in the sky’ as he proposed to his girlfriend during lockdown

An Old Etonian handsome vicar dubbed the ‘portable priest’ online has revealed he ‘spotted a cross in the sky’ as he proposed to his girlfriend during lockdown

Pat Allerton, 42, a vicar in Notting Hill, has been making waves on Instagram over the last year during the Covid-19 crisis with his trendy take on religion.

He has now announced his engagement to South African-born Kirsty Turnbull, 33, having been in a bubble together at her parents home in Hampshire during the England’s third coronavirus lockdown.

The Old Etonian told Tatler their relationship had reached a ‘make or break’ situation before her proposed, and said he popped the question while they were walking on the heath together. 

Pat Allerton, 42, a vicar in Notting Hill, said he popped the question to girlfriend Kirsty Turnball, 32, while walking on Hampstead Heath together 

Pat revealed that while it ‘wasn’t too much of a complete shock’ when he proposed, but the moment didn’t go exactly to plan.

He explained: ‘As I hugged Kirsty I started by saying what a difficult year it’s been etc… and for a short moment in time she thought I was breaking up with her!’

He said that he ‘lost his words’ while proposing and called it ‘so strange’ to pop the question after ‘years’ of ‘wondering what it would be like.’ 

Meanwhile he also revealed: ‘Amazingly after the event we spotted a cross in the sky which, while I don’t pin too much on it, was a nice encouragement God was with us.’ 

The Old Etonian has been in a bubble with Kirsty together at her parents home in Hampshire during the England's third coronavirus lockdown

The Old Etonian has been in a bubble with Kirsty together at her parents home in Hampshire during the England’s third coronavirus lockdown

The priest, pictured on a day out with family, has gained thousands of followers online with his trendy take on religion during the Covid-19 crisis

The priest, pictured on a day out with family, has gained thousands of followers online with his trendy take on religion during the Covid-19 crisis 

Pat explained the couple will move forward with wedding plans as soon as restrictions are lifted, even if it means a smaller, intimate gathering for family and friends, with a bigger party further down the line.

His fiancée Kirsty, who runs Year Here, an enterprise that tackles social problems in London, met Pat when she joined his former church, St Dionis in Parson’s Green.  

Last year, the handsome vicar became an online sensation after taking to the streets of the city to ‘take church to the people’, playing Amazing Grace on speakers in residential streets before inviting residents to pray. 

He has since gained thousands of followers on Instagram, who follow him through the city as he posts different clips from services across the capital. 

Pat's stunning blonde fiancée Kirsty, who runs Year Here, an enterprise that tackles social problems in London, met Pat when she joined his former church, St Dionis in Parson's Green

Pat’s stunning blonde fiancée Kirsty, who runs Year Here, an enterprise that tackles social problems in London, met Pat when she joined his former church, St Dionis in Parson’s Green

According to the Old Etonian, the blonde bombshell initially feared Pat was breaking up with her before he got down on one knee while proposing (pictured left, with a friend)

According to the Old Etonian, the blonde bombshell initially feared Pat was breaking up with her before he got down on one knee while proposing (pictured left, with a friend)

Speaking to Tatler last year, he said: ‘I’m here for everyone, religious or not. I simply want people to know that even in the darkest valley there is light, there is hope and there is a God that’s here to help.’

When the UK entered its first lockdown last March, the handsome preacher visited Portobello Road where he introduced himself as the local vicar and played the hymn, before inviting people to join him in the Lord’s prayer.

After his five-minute service, he was met with a moment’s silence before the street erupted into applause and shouts of requests to return.

Pat has been dashing around the capital since, performing 51 of his portable services and visiting Chelsea, Kensington, the City of Westminster, Wandsworth, and Shepherd’s Bush.

The handsome priest has attracted thousands of Instagram followers after offering five minute sermons online

The handsome priest has attracted thousands of Instagram followers after offering five minute sermons online 

Among the services he has conducted, he has offered services at seven hospitals, one care home and one prison.

He revealed how one particularly striking service came in the ‘shadows of Grenfell Tower’ and called it ‘incredibly emotional.’

He said: ‘To hear the cheering and whooping after I put down the microphone sent shivers down my spine.’

The 'portable priest', pictured celebrating at the Church Times Cricket Cup in October 2019, has wowed residents across London with his services in which he plays Amazing Grace and performs the Lord's prayer

The ‘portable priest’, pictured celebrating at the Church Times Cricket Cup in October 2019, has wowed residents across London with his services in which he plays Amazing Grace and performs the Lord’s prayer 

In another emotional moment, he was requested by a lady in Wandsworth who lost her husband to coronavirus and couldn’t have a funeral.

He revealed how the ‘whole street turned out’ for the service, saying it was ‘the closest moment she had to saying goodbye to him.  

Pat went on to call it ‘an honour’ to have an ‘amazing audience’ at a ‘strange and daunting time’.