Shields' relationship with Agassi was heavily publicised

Henchy, 37, proposed to Shields during a romantic weekend break in Mexico, said the actress' publicist Mia Ricchiuti.

"He took her away for the weekend and asked her on Saturday night," Ricchiuti explained.

She added: "I don't really know any of the details, but she did say 'yes'."

News of the couple's engagement first emerged after New York City jeweller Stephen Russell revealed he had designed Shields' ring.

He described it as "an antique cushion-cut diamond ring set in platinum and diamond mounting".

Awards

The actress, who found fame as a child star of films such as Pretty Baby and Blue Lagoon and as an international model, married her first husband Andre Agassi in 1997.

Their heavily publicised relationship ended in divorce two years later.

Eric Idle has contributed to Suddenly Susan's hit status

Shields never quite made it as big box office movie star. But she has re-established herself as a comedy actress in NBC's Suddenly Susan.

The show - which also features former Monty Python star Eric Idle - is now in its fourth season and has earned Shields both a People's Choice award and a Golden Globe nomination.

Over the last several years, she has also starred in a Broadway revival of Grease.

On the big screen, she has landed roles in several independent films.

She most recently appeared in James Toback's Black and White, playing a documentary film-maker who takes to the streets of New York City to interview people about hip-hop.