'Downton Abbey' alum Allen Leech engaged to actress

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Former Downton Abbey star Allen Leech is engaged to be married.

The 36-year-old British actor announced in an Instagram post Wednesday on Valentine's Day that he proposed to actress Jessica Blair Herman "a while" ago.

"Happy Valentine's Day @jessicablairherman," Leech captioned a photo with his bride-to-be. "First one as a fiancé!"

"Thank you for saying yes and for making me the happiest," he added. "(And no I didn't do it today. It's been a while.) xx."

Herman also confirmed the news in a post on her own account. The actress, who played Kim Goldman on American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson, included a picture of Leech kissing her cheek.

"The day you proposed was one of the best days but every day with you is my favorite. I love you! Happy Valentine's Day @therealleech!" she wrote.

People reported Leech and Herman have been dating since 2016. The actor is best known for playing Tom Branson on Downton Abbey, which ended in December 2015 after a six-season run on ITV.

"We always really enjoyed every moment and none of us ever took it for granted," Leech said of the show in an interview with Hello! Canada in February 2017.

"I got to travel all around the world and feel people's affection for the show and I've never been part of something before that touched people's hearts so much," he added. "It's really special and I don't think you always get things like that in your life."