- MoS can reveal she married Kenny Doughty in a ‘super fun’ and emotional ceremony
- In November 2017, Terence Beesley, Jensen’s partner of 18 years, took his own life
- **If you need to speak to someone, please call the Samaritans on 116 123**
It’s been six years since ‘devastated’ Ashley Jensen faced the devastating tragedy of losing her husband to suicide.
But the actress, who is currently starring as DI Ruth Calder in BBC drama Shetland, has found new happiness – and secretly tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal fellow actor Kenny Doughty, 54, married at a ‘super fun’ and emotional ceremony for a close group of family and friends at the historic Priston Mill near Bath.
Friends say Ms Jensen, who made her name as Ricky Gervais’ sidekick Maggie in Extras and in the US sitcom Ugly Betty, ‘barely stopped smiling all day’ and wore a stunning off-white dress with floral embroidery paired with coral platform sandals.
Former Vera star Doughty, 48, who met the actress on the set of 2017 BBC drama Love, Lies And Records, also beamed at the August 9 ceremony as she dressed in a powder blue suit with matching suede loafers.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal Jensen, 54, married fellow actor Kenny Doughty in a ‘super fun’ and emotional ceremony. Pictured: Jensen and Doughty in January
It’s been six years since ‘devastated’ Ashley Jensen faced the devastating tragedy of losing her husband, Terence Beesley, to suicide. Pictured: the couple together in 2016
“The day looked absolutely beautiful,” said a friend. “Ashley looked so, so happy. She smiled and laughed, it was just idyllic. There seemed to be so much love in that room.”
The pair were joined by Ashley’s son Francis, 14, from her marriage to late husband Terence Beesley, who wore a floral tie to match Mr Doughty’s.
“There was a really sweet moment when Francis posed for photos with Ashley and Kenny,” the friend added. “It was cute.”
Ms Jensen sparked speculation she was engaged to Mr Doughty after she wore a ring – and tried to cover her left hand – on the Graham Norton Show earlier this month.
Neither has publicly spoken about or confirmed their relationship, but it is believed it started as a friendship before blossoming into romance.
The couple have been photographed together at showbusiness events and were spotted holding hands as they enjoyed a night out together in Bath in 2021.
A source said: ‘He has been a huge support to her over the years. They make a beautiful couple and all their friends are very happy for them.’
Their wedding was all the more poignant given the grief faced by Ms. Jensen – who again starred opposite Ricky Gervais in his award-winning After Life, a tragicomic portrait of a man struggling to cope with the aftermath of his wife’s death from breast cancer . .
Jensen and Doughty are pictured here in Love, Lies & Records
It was in November 2017 that The Bill and EastEnders actor Terence Beesley, Jensen’s partner of 18 years whom she had married in 2007, took his own life at the home they shared with their son in Somerset.
He was 60. Mrs Jensen found his body in the family’s Mercedes after returning from a day out with Francis, then eight.
The following year she told an inquest: ‘Terry and I had been together for 18 years but I had no idea he was capable of what he did.’ The couple had met and married in California in 1999 before returning to Britain.
Yorkshire-born Mr Doughty was married to English actress Caroline Carver for 11 years until they divorced in 2017.
- **If you need to speak to someone, please call the Samaritans on 116 123**