CCM's Nicole C Mullen and gospel's Donnie McClurkin announce engagement

TWO MAJOR US artists Nicole C Mullen and Donnie McClurkin have made public their engagement in a programme broadcast by the international Christian broadcaster TBN. Speaking on the show, McClurkin said, "Financially I'm there, spiritually I'm almost there, emotionally I'm getting it together. But the only thing that's missing out of everything that I'm doing - locally, cross country and globally - is that aspect that makes family, family."

Mullen, who has won four Dove Awards including Songwriter Of The Year and Female Vocalist Of The Year, and McClurkin, who has 13 Grammy Awards and 10 Stellar Awards and who is senior pastor at Perfecting Faith Church, have both had colourful private lives. Nicole has had two previous marriages, the first to an abusive partner and the second to record producer David Mullen. Donny has never married and in interviews has admitted that he struggled for years with homosexuality and recently dated gospel star Yolanda Adams. No date has yet been announced for their forthcoming marriage. They have acknowledged though that their relationship will be given intense media exposure. Wrote one blogger, "Unlike the everyday Joe and Jane Bloggs couple they can expect harsh scrutiny at every turn."