Benedict Cumberbatch's reaction to Glenn Weiss' proposal at the Emmy Awards is pure joy

Benedict Cumberbatch’s reaction to a proposal at the Primetime Emmy Awards came close to overshadowing the romantic moment.

The actor couldn’t contain his excitement as Glenn Weiss popped the question to his girlfriend on stage moments after winning Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special for The Oscars.

Weiss revealed his mother had died two weeks previously in an emotional speech which also saw him profess his love for Jan Svendson before telling her he wants to “call you my wife”.

Svendson nodded “yes” as she took to the stage where Weiss presented her with his late mother’s engagement ring.

“This is the ring my dad put on my mom's finger, 67 years ago. And to my sisters and brothers I didn't swipe it, dad knows I have it, OK?” he said.

“I want to put the ring that my mom wore on your finger in front of all these people and in front of my mom and your parents watching from above, will you marry me?”

Cumberbatch looked equally as stunned as Svendson when she said “yes”. The camera captured the actor clapping wildly with a huge smile on his face.

Twitter was predictably enamoured with Cumberbatch’s reaction, with one user posting: “Find someone who looks at you the way Benedict Cumberbatch looked during that #Emmys proposal.”

Another tweeted: “Benedict Cumberbatch smiling at the wedding proposal is a BLESSING #Emmys.”

A third posted: “Was the real miracle the proposal, or Benedict Cumberbatch broadly smiling? #Emmys.”

Cumberbatch, who was nominated for Lead Actor for his role in the TV mini-series Patrick Melrose, wasn’t the only elated member of the audience.

Ghostbusters actress Leslie Jones looked gobsmacked as she jumped up from her seat while Claire Foy broke down in tears.

The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards were held at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theatre on Monday night. Game of Thrones was among the big winners, bagging Best Drama Series and Supporting Actor for Peter Dinklage.

It was a big night for Brits with Thandie Newton picking up Supporting Actress for Westworld while Lead Actress and Lead Actor were awarded to Matthew Rhys for The Americans and Claire Foy for The Crown.