Ashford’s most unromantic man bought his wife flowers for the first time in 27 years of marriage on Valentine’s Day.

David Bew was given the rather unflattering title after wife Shirley revealed he spent their honeymoon watching football and had not bought her a bouquet for as long as she could remember.

However, after the embarrassment of being crowned the least romantic partner in the town, David appears to be a changed man.

He said: “This Valentine’s Day I bought Shirley the biggest bunch of flowers she’s ever had – 12 red roses – and a big box of Thorntons Continental chocolates.

“She seemed quite moved – she was speechless and almost cried.

“Since winning this competition I have realised my faults. This won’t be a one-off, it has definitely changed me.”

David, 49, and Shirley were treated to a romantic meal for two at The Pheasant in Trinity Road, Eureka Place, after winning the competition to find Ashford’s least romantic man, organised by the pub and the Kentish Express.

They dined on prawn cocktail, soup, steak and pie, and Shirley was presented with a single red rose and a box of chocolates by staff.

Earlier in the month we reported how Tottenham Hotspur fan David forgot to turn up to a date with Shirley shortly after they met because he had gone to watch his favourite team play.

After making sure their wedding was booked for a day when no matches were scheduled, David then spent part of his honeymoon watching Spurs beat Wimbledon in the quarter-final of the 1987 FA Cup.

Shirley added: “We had a really good time at the restaurant although David kept worrying the other diners would recognise us from the paper!”

Pub manager Kellie McDonald said: “We spent a lovely evening with our competition winners.”