X Factor star Ray Quinn married Emily Fletcher in a stunning fairytale ceremony.
The couple tied the knot on Monday at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, which was the venue of choice for Jamie and Rebecca Vardy, Phil Bardsley and wife Tanya, Grammy-winning star Tanya and her NFL star husband Russell Wilson.
Speaking about their big day, Emily described the ceremony as a ‘magical fairytale’, while Ray told OK! magazine, ‘It was the moment I’d been waiting for.’
Recalling the moment Emily walked down the aisle, he continued: “I saw her and she looked absolutely amazing, I just burst into tears.
Ray continued: “All the emotions from the day, the night before and even the year we were planning the wedding just hit me. I knew how Emily would feel walking with her dad, it was overwhelming.’
Cute couple: X Factor star Ray Quinn married Emily Fletcher in a stunning ‘fairy tale’ ceremony at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire on Monday (pictured at their rehearsal dinner)
Sweet: Speaking about their big day, Emily described the ceremony as a ‘magical fairytale’, while Ray said: ‘It was the moment I’ve been waiting for’
Emily added: “I saw Ray and kept my eyes on him the whole way down the aisle. I couldn’t believe I was about to marry the man of my dreams.’
Ray finished second to Leona Lewis in the third series of The X Factor in 2006.
But swing singer Ray abandoned his celebrity life to become a worker when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020.
And now he looks unrecognizable after growing out his hair and outlining his arms with tattooed sleeves.
He enjoyed a stag party in Ireland last month, sharing snaps of his wild weekend.
He wrote the post: “Jelen is working.” What a time it was boss.. with all the lads in Dublin, a pint of Guinness and a UFC belt to boot.. loved every minute.. still feeling it but the memories will last a lifetime.. nice lads.’
Ray made British music history after competing on The X Factor by becoming the youngest male artist to top the UK Albums Chart without releasing a single.
He went on to have a successful jazz career and also appeared in many musical productions and plays around the UK.
The performer took part in Dancing On Ice in 2009 and the All Stars edition in 2014, winning both series.
He later took on the role of right-wing extremist Johnny Baxter in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks for one year between 2018 and 2019.
High profile: The couple tied the knot on Monday at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, which has been the venue of choice for Hollywood stars and sporting legends
Back: Former Manchester United player Phil Bardsley and Real Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya tied the knot in 2014.
On a new path: Ray looks unrecognizable after leaving the celebrity life to become a worker when the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020 (left, on his estate in September; right on The X Factor in 2006)
Family: Ray and new bride Emily welcomed their first child together last year, a baby girl named Summer
In his personal life, Ray married Emma Stevens in 2012, but they later divorced in 2015. They have a son, Harry, together.
Ray and new bride Emily welcomed their first child together last year, a baby girl named Summer.
Ray and Emily, who is a professional dancer, got engaged in late 2019 and have been busy planning their upcoming wedding.
Before the pandemic, the star was in the cast of Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre, but when he learned he would not get government support when the production was cancelled, he took a job as a Hermès delivery driver.
However, he now works as a carpet fitter in the family business with brothers Darren and Robin after losing his father to cancer in November last year.
He said before OK! magazine: ‘My dad was a carpet fitter all his life. He taught my brothers how to do it.
“When I first started, I actually went to work in my dad’s old uniform. He always said you can get away with anything; to raise your head – and I did that.’
The Sun also reported that Ray “took a job as an Hermès driver earning £11.40 an hour” after “fearing he would get bored” in isolation.
The former TV personality is believed to have started the business at the start of the lockdown and is delivering across the North West.
He is ‘really popular’ with fans, with a friend describing him as a ‘hard-to-get-together boy’ who ‘naturally likes to be on the move’, according to the publication.
A source said: “He was afraid he would get bored so he applied for a job at Hermès and has been dropping off packages ever since.
“It’s taken him by storm and he’s really popular – especially with fans who want selfies.”
Born to perform: Ray took on the role of right-wing extremist Jonny Baxter in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks for a year between 2018 and 2019.