Former Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson and long-term partner Debbie Stanley are joined by a host of showbiz legends as they tie the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony in Cheshire
WORDS: LAUREN FLETCHER
WEDDED BLISS
Coronation Street legends past and present reunited to celebrate the marriage of Charlie Lawson and his long-time partner Debbie Stanley, but it was a certain familiar face presiding over proceedings who almost stole the show.
Charlie and Debbie’s officiator was none other than daytime TV royalty Eamonn Holmes, a close pal of the groom for more than 30 years. And Charlie – who played Corrie’s Jim McDonald from 1989 until 2000 – couldn’t have been more thrilled by Eamonn’s attendance.
“We actually legally got married at Macclesfield Registration Office two weeks before the proper wedding, with just three witnesses, so Eamonn could do the service,” he told OK!.
Charlie, 64, and Essex-born Debbie, 59, who works for a domestic violence organisation, have been together for 22 years and tied the knot at Shrigley Hall Hotel & Spa in Cheshire, a Georgian stately home near Macclesfield. Set in 262 acres of immaculate grounds, it provided the perfect backdrop to their star-studded proceedings.
The wedding was a veritable who’s who of soap legends, with 68 guests at the ceremony – including Debbie’s daughter Sophia and grandsons Reuben and Noah – and a further 200 showing up for the post-wedding party.
Simon Gregson, who plays Charlie’s on-screen son Steve McDonald, was best man, while Alison King (the Street’s Carla Connor) was one of Debbie’s eight bridesmaids.
Former Corrie stars Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and Vicky Entwhistle ( Janice Battersby), plus Emmerdale’s Claire King (Kim Tate) were also there to support their longtime pals.
Not even the torrential rain could dampen spirits as Charlie, who has been married twice before, and has a daughter, Laura, from his first marriage, made a grand entrance, arriving by helicopter with best man Simon at his side. The actor looked every inch the dapper groom-to-be in a navy suit and blue silk scarf as he wielded an umbrella and greeted guests.
The bride looked stunning in a white beaded strapless bodice and wide-legged trousers teamed with a long, flowing coat and strappy gold sandals. Much to our surprise, Debbie told us her look was inspired by a certain soap wedding – more of which later!
