Lee Mead is engaged to fiancée Issy Szumniak

Lee Mead has announced his engagement to fiancée Issy Szumniak.

The theatre star, 41, who won BBC musical talent competition Any Dream Will Do in 2007, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a picture of himself with permanent make-up artist and aesthetician Issy as she showed off her dazzling diamond ring.

The couple both took to their respective Instagram pages to announce the news to their followers.

West End performer Lee wrote: ‘So this happened today, and my beautiful Issy said yes. We’re both so happy and can’t wait to spend forever together.’

Issy posted: ‘6 years & forever with you 05/02/23.’

Former Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat cast member Lee confirmed his romance with mother-of-one Issy in 2018.

The former Holby City actor met the beautician on the school run, with Lee sharing his daughter Betsy, 12, with his ex-wife Denise van Outen, 48.

The star – who recently showed off the results of his hair transplant – said romance blossomed with Issy when he ran into her in a coffee shop after he picked Betsy up from school.

Of their initial Lee previously told The Sun: ‘We got on really well, but it was a while before I plucked up the courage to ask her on a date.  

‘She’s a lovely woman and she’s a parent as well, which I think helps. She’s based in Kent and she’s not in the same business as me; I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing!’

‘I’m not one to rush into relationships and I was single for six years, but it’s nice to have found someone. We’ve been together just under a year and it’s going really well. We had a nice weekend together recently and we’re very happy.’

Lee was previously married to Denise after meeting on Any Dream Will Do on which she was a judge and he was a contestant.

The former couple said ‘I do’ in the Seychelles in 2009 and went on to welcome daughter Betsy in 2010. However, Denise confirmed they had parted ways in June 2013.

The news is out: The couple both took to their respective Instagram pages on Sunday to announce the news to their followers

Chance run-in: The former Holby City actor met the beautician on the school run, with Lee sharing his daughter Betsy, 12

They were granted a ‘quickie’ divorce at the Central Family Court in just 90 seconds in 2015.

The pair had originally split in June 2013 but they remain good friends as they co-parent their daughter Betsy.

District Judge Heather MacGregor ended the six year marriage on the grounds that it had irretrievably broken down and that the couple have lived apart for more than two years.

History: Lee was previously married to Denise van Outen after meeting on Any Dream Will Do on which she was a judge and he was a contestant (Lee and Denise pictured in 2010)

Denise previously told The Sun’s Fabulous magazine about the break-up: ‘I’ve no regrets about getting married to Lee at all. He’s such a lovely person.

‘There was no big fall out and we got each other through really.

‘We’re friends so we supported each other.’

Good terms: The pair had originally split in June 2013 but they remain good friends as they co-parent their daughter Betsy (Denise seen with Betsy last year)