RACHEL Riley’s mum has spoken of her pride at her daughter’s engagement to a “lovely boy”.

Channel 4 Countdown host Rachel, 25, has agreed to tie the knot with long-term boyfriend Jamie Gilbert – and her family are simply delighted.

Jamie, 29, proposed to Rachel, from Thorpe Bay, on her birthday earlier this month.

Her mum Celia, a fundraiser for Rochford charity Peaceful Place, couldn’t hide her joy and said she would even organise the big day for the happy couple.

She said: “I’m thrilled and delighted, and obviously looking forward to it very much.

“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise because they’ve been together for so long, but I’m very happy for them both. He’s a lovely boy.

“I’m an event planner, so now I’ve got another event to plan!”

Rachel, who attended Southend High School for Girls and then went to Oxford University to study maths, took over from Carol Vorderman as Countdown’s numbers wizard in January 2009. She met millionaire Mr Gilbert, whose family fortune comes from a computer business, while they were both at Oriel College together more than four years ago.

The couple separated during Christmas 2009, but got back together last year.

They kept the news of their engagement quiet until they told their family and friends this week.

He took her to a jeweller in Mauritius at Christmas, showed her an “amazing” diamond and asked her to design a ring.

Rachel said: “When we got home, Jamie finally got down on one knee. I’m so happy. It’ll feel real once the ring is made and it’s on my finger.”