Mario Falcone wouldn't have proposed to Lucy Mecklenburgh if he wasn't on 'The Only Way is Essex'.

Mario Falcone

Mario Falcone

The 28-year-old hunk doesn't regret getting down on one knee and popping the question to his then-girlfriend, whom he split from for good in 2013, but has admitted he only did it because he felt pressure from the show's bosses at the time to create a juicy storyline for its viewers.

Speaking to Star magazine, he said: "I had a lot of pressure on me at the time to do a big engagement. Maybe I wouldn't have done that if I wasn't on the show."

Despite being engaged to marry, Mario - who is the brother-in-law of Tom Fletcher - no longer speaks with Lucy out of respect for her boyfriend and his new lover Becky Miesner.

He explained: "I wouldn't (talk to her) out of respect for her new boyfriend and for Becky. There's no bad blood there. We have both moved on with out lives and I think we are both in better places."

Mario turned his back on the show that made him famous two years ago after he was suspended for promoting slimming pills but he has hinted that there may be an opportunity soon that will see him return.

He said: "There may be a development on that front but I can't actually say anything about it."

But it's not known if his partner Becky will make an appearance because she doesn't like the limelight.

He added: "I love that Becky isn't interested in the public eye. It's nice to keep one thing to yourself that you really enjoy and cherish. She's so grounded. The world I'm from doesn't interest her. I can't stand to think about upsetting her like I have with other girls in the past. In my eyes, she's perfect."

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