Corrie's Jim McDonald star's wedding with co-star best man and huge reunions
Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson swapped vows in front of family, friends and famous faces as he married long-time partner Debbie Stanley after more than two decades of being together.
The 64-year-old Northern Irishman said “I do” to wed Debbie in front of a host of his former Corrie co-stars. Charlie - who played Jim McDonald on the ITV soap from 1989 through to 2018 - confessed he was in tears as he watched his now-wife walk down the aisle to meet him at the alter.
The couple had secretly married officially at a registry before throwing an extravagant party - with a TV host acting as an officially, and touching speeches provided by his former co-stars. And there were plenty of glitzy moments during the ceremony as the couple begin their new marriage together.
Here are all the details of Charlie Lawson and Debbie Stanley’s wedding.
Charlie Lawson and Debbie Stanley are now husband and wife (S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Eamonn Holmes officiated over the ceremong (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)When did Coronation Street’s Charlie Lawson and partner Debbie Stanley officially marry?
Charlie and Debbie threw a lavish wedding ceremony at Shrigley Hall Hotel & Spa in Macclesfield, Cheshire - but they officially married in secret some weeks before at Macclesfield Registration Office. Charlie explained he needed the extra time to round up all his celebrity guest.
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He told OK!: “I just wanted to get on with it. Getting actors together is like herding cats. We could have done the wedding two weeks ago, but we had to see who could make it. On the day of the wedding, when we were preparing to fly in the helicopter, I was fed up with waiting – it couldn’t happen quick enough for me."
The soap star wore a sharp, deep navy suit for his big day, while Debbie dazzled in a white gown and coat. Guests were seated on white chairs with sage green silk bows during the ceremony and Debbie’s bouquet included bunches of gypsophila.
Who were the guests and who officiated?
A huge number of TV stars turned out to cheer on Charlie and Debbie on their big day - with the Corrie star’s on-screen family there to support him. Charlie’s on-screen son, Steve McDonald (played by Simon Gregson) acted as his Best Man.
While many other stars also took part in the big day. Vicky Entwistle, who played Janice Battersby, Alison King who fans will know as Carla Connor, Erica Holroyd actress Claire King, and former Hear'Say star Kym Marsh, who played Michelle Connor on the soap, were all there.
The ceremony was officiated by GB News host Eamonn Holmes. Speaking to OK! about Eamonn’s involvement, Charlie said: "Eamonn and myself have both been in TV a long time and we've met over the years and become really good friends - we're very similar human beings. Famously, over the years, Eamonn has participated in lots of ceremonies – including George Best's funeral – and I couldn't think of anyone else better to oversee our wedding.”
Meanwhile, Eamonn himself said he took to his role like a duck to water, and joked: “I should maybe become some sort of preacher.” And the former This Morning host was given a silver throne to officiate from as he continues to struggle with ill health which has caused mobility issues for the star.
Simon Gregson was best man and delivered an emotional speech (ITV)Who gave the best man’s speech?
Simon Gregson - who has played Charlie’s on-screen son Steve McDonald since 1989 - was best man on the say, but Charlie joked he wasn’t his first choice. The actor told OK!: "My great friend Neil Morrissey couldn’t make the wedding as he’s starring in a West End show, so Simon stepped in to fill the best man position – and I wasn’t remotely disappointed.”
He added: “I’ve known Simon since he was 14, he’s a great friend and did a fantastic job."
And proud bride Debbie added: "Simon’s speech was unbelievable. He spends a lot of time at home with us so he knows us really well. He joked about some of the things he was going to say, and I told him, 'No, please don’t say things like that.' But he’s a comedian, so it was really funny. But everyone was crying at the emotional parts, too.
What has Charlie Lawson said about his new bride?
Charlie’s married life in Coronation Street was nothing short of chaotic - marrying Liz McDonald, played by Beverley Callard, twice before turning to a life of crime and running off with another woman. However, his relationship with Debbie has been far more romantic.
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Speaking to OK! Magazine after the nuptials, Charlie admitted he was moved to tears at the sight of his bride. The soap actor said: "When you’ve been in love with someone for so long – 22 years – there’s still that excitement of waiting to see her, and Debbie looked extraordinary and very beautiful.”
He candidly confessed: “It was a wonderful moment when she walked down the aisle. I shed a tear."
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