It’s hard to believe the boyish Declan Donnelly, first seen on British screens in 1989 at the age of 14, is all grown up and tying the knot! It only seems like yesterday that Byker Grove favourite Duncan was getting into paintballing hi-jinks with best friend PJ (Ant McPartlin)… In actual fact, yesterday was the day Donnelly married his manager of ten years, Ali Astall, who looked gorgeous in a sleeveless ivory gown.
The groom and his groomsmen – including, of course, Ant McPartlin – continued this year’s hot trend of beautiful blue tailoring, accented with grey waistcoats. Ali’s gown was made by one of this year’s top celebrity wedding dress couturiers, Phillipa Lepley, who also created the designs for Geri Halliwell’s and Guy Richie’s second wife Jacqui Ainsley’s wedding gowns this year.
Down-to-earth Donnelly has never forgotten his Geordie roots, and yesterday’s traditional ceremony took place at St Michael’s Church, Newcastle, officiated by Father Dermott Donnelly – Dec’s brother. Earlier in the day, an excited Dec took to Twitter to share the anticipation and joy of his big day with some 5 million followers. First thing he joked ‘I know I’ve got somewhere to be today but I can’t for the life of me remember where’
Morning! I know I’ve got somewhere to be today but I can’t for the life of me remember where…. ? D
— antanddec (@antanddec) August 1, 2015
Later, on his way to the church, he tweeted a picture of best man, Ant, behind the wheel of the Aston Martin in which he arrived, with the caption ‘Slow down man, what’s the hurry?!’
Slow down man, what’s the hurry!? D pic.twitter.com/bYrnbaCyj3 — antanddec (@antanddec) August 1, 2015
After the ceremony, the elated groom took to social media just once more to thank his followers for their well wishes.
Thank you for all the kind and lovely messages, they are appreciated. My wife and I ? had the most amazing, magical, wonderful day. D x
— antanddec (@antanddec) August 2, 2015
Congratulations to the happy couple!