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Carrie Ann Inaba gets engaged on live TV

Surprise! On Thursday's LIVE! With Regis and Kelly, guest cohost Carrie Ann Inaba got the shock of a lifetime when her boyfriend got on bended knee to propose live on the air.
/ Source: Us Weekly

Surprise!

On Thursday's "LIVE! With Regis and Kelly," guest cohost Carrie Ann Inaba got the shock of a lifetime when her boyfriend got on bended knee to propose live on the air.

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After Regis Philbin and the "Dancing With the Stars" judge -- filling in for a vacationing Kelly Ripa -- interviewed eliminated "DWTS" celeb Mike Catherwood, they launched into a segment reading viewer mail.

In on the surprise, Philbin read a letter from a viewer looking to propose to his girlfriend of two years, but unsure of just how to go about it.

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Who was that viewer? Inaba's beau, Jesse Sloan, who came out from backstage carrying a giant diamond sparkler.

"I struggle to find the words to express what you mean to me," Sloan, 39, told a teary Inaba, 43. "You're an inspiration. You're everything to me. Will you marry me?" he asked.

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Ianaba -- who had only moments earlier clarified that rumors of her engagement were false, despite mentioning in an interview that she was anticipating a summer wedding -- was stunned.

"Yes," she enthused. "I will marry you."

Later, "LIVE!" guests Jake Gyllenhaal and Howie Mandel joined the happy couple for a champagne toast.