PRINCE Harry has been urged to marry former X Factor judge and Geordie singer Cheryl - and did not dismiss the idea out of hand - as he celebrated the achievements of Invictus Games athletes.

At a glittering awards ceremony held to recognise individuals from the sporting world, host Mark Durden-Smith said it was Harry's royal duty to pop the question to Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

Among the guests at the BT Sport Industry Awards were Tim Henman, Lord Coe, Brian O'Driscoll, John Terry, Jamie Murray and his mother Judy Murray, and Jodie Kidd.

Cheryl, as the singer is now known, recently split from her second husband and Durden-Smith described the Prince and former tennis star Henman - who were jointly presenting an outstanding contribution award to the Murray family - as both prime son-in-law material.

To laughter from the 1,700 guests attending the event at the Battersea Evolution in central London, Durden-Smith said: "I know you take your royal duties very seriously Harry and I think one of the duties that the nation would like you to perform is to marry Cheryl Fernandez-Versini "It's what the nation wants Harry so give it some thought."

His comments caused the Prince to raise an eyebrow as he mused on the suggestion.