AOL

A 27-year-old British bachelor proposed to a 22-year-old Californian actress as he took his pick of 25 American women in the finale of a US TV dating show.

Matt Grant, the first Briton to star on ABC's The Bachelor, chose blonde Shayne Lamas over brunette Chelsea Wanstrath after six weeks of rigorous dates.

The 6ft 5in blue-eyed business development manager put the women through their paces on a muddy rugby field, took them for a game of tennis and drank afternoon tea as he decided who should be his true love.

A fashion show, a classic 50s Americana date, a home-cooked meal by Mr Grant and a group date on the snowy slopes of Sun Valley, Idaho, were all used to find "the one".

Mr Grant, who was described as a "totally charming and witty English gentleman who works with millionaire businessmen" on the show, chose Ms Lamas, of Malibu, California, and went down on one knee as he asked her to marry him.

Using his pet name for her, he said: "Monkey, will you marry me?"

Miss Lamas replied that she would, "on one condition - that you will never look at another woman for the rest of our lives. Because you have looked at way too many during our relationship."

Mr Grant, of Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, described Ms Lamas as someone who showed "warmth, sincerity and generousness" throughout the series.

Rejected Miss Wanstrath, a 25-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative living in Santa Barbara, California, described her rival as "the falsest person here" at the end of the series finale.

The youngest of five brothers, the rest of whom are married, Mr Grant was described as very close to his parents and siblings - and they helped him make his decision on the final episode of the show.