Actor and TV presenter Tony Robinson has proposed to his 27-year-old girlfriend, it has been reported.

The 62-year-old Bristol-based star became engaged to Louise Hobbs, who is less than half his age, while on holiday in Malaysia last week.

Tony Robinson, who is best known for playing Baldrick in Blackadder and presenting archaeology programme Time Team, is said to be planning a summer wedding with his new fiancee.

He has two adult children from his first marriage to Mary Shepherd – Luke, 29, and Laura, 31, both older than Miss Hobbs.

In 1994, Mr Robinson vowed never to tie the knot again, and said: "Marriage is a nonsense."

He met Miss Hobbs, a public sector worker, at an East End restaurant in 2005 when it was overbooked and they agreed to share a table.

Asource close to the family said is reported to have said: "An engagement was clearly on the cards.

"Despite the age difference, they're very happy together.

"Tony proposed the day after they arrived on holiday on December 28.

"Of course they are both over the moon."

They added: "It's fair to say not everybody thought it would last.

"Some are concerned for Louise, although no one would raise that with her.

"At the end of the day, when he is 80, she will still be a relatively young woman of 45."

Outside the Hobbs's family home in Cheshire, Louise's mother Pamela said they couple were away until later in the month and should could not say any more until then.

At 58, Pamela Hobbs is four years younger than her future son-in-law.

The future Mrs Robinson towers over her partner, at 5ft, 8in to his 5ft 4in.

Tony Robinson has in recent years become an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society, speaking publicly about his father's battle with the illness and his mother's dementia.

He has lived in Bristol since 1972, and has said he would never leave the city as he could not miss Bristol City's football games. However he and Miss Hobbs do have a home in London.