Actor Brian Conley is currently lighting up our screens on EastEnders as Rocky Cotton and fans have been on the edge of their seats as he navigates his relationship with fiancé Kathy Beale.
His love life has caused a major stir on the show in recent episodes after he hid his secret marriage from Kathy and recently hinted that he has a secret son called Jasper.
But off-screen the star is far more successful in the world of love.
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Conley and his gorgeous wife Anne-Marie have a love story that started off with an awkward twist, but they’ve now been married for over 25 years.
From chance encounters to a hilarious proposal, their off-screen romance is just as captivating as the actor’s on-screen romance saga. Let’s take a closer look…
Awkward first meeting
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Brian revealed that his wife-to-be first saw him coated in make-up backstage at a panto.
In a candid interview with OK! magazine, the 61-year-old actor shed light on the extraordinary circumstances that brought them together.
Conley reminisced: “During my time in pantomime, I had the pleasure of working alongside ventriloquist Ray Alan, who had a puppet named Lord Charles.
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for ATG)
“As fate would have it, Anne-Marie happened to be employed by Ray’s wife at the time.”
He continued: “Ray’s wife mentioned this wonderful woman in her office who she believed would be a perfect match for me. Consequently, she arranged for Anne-Marie to attend one of our shows.”
Nervously, Anne-Marie ventured backstage into Conley’s dressing room, where she was taken aback by the sight of a man wearing copious amounts of makeup.
Conley said: “We both felt a bit uncomfortable, and she was a tad frightened by my overly bronzed appearance! We exchanged numbers nevertheless, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
Conley couldn’t help but gush about his beloved wife, emphasizing he fell for her the moment he laid eyes on her.
“From the moment I laid eyes on Anne-Marie, she had an undeniable allure that would command the attention of any room.
“People would be in awe, exclaiming, ‘Oh my God, look at that girl.’
“It’s one of the many reasons why we’ve remained together for 31 years. Recently, we joyously celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.”
Elaborate proposal
(Image: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
In a recent episode of EastEnders, fans were treated to the comical moment when Rocky Cotton inadvertently asked Kathy Beale’s hand in marriage.
However, as chaotic as this scene may have been, it simply can’t compete with the extravagant proposal that Brian Conley, the actor himself, orchestrated for his beloved wife, Anne-Marie.
With a hint of playful pride, the comedian quipped: “When it comes to romance, he’s not quite on the same level as me.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
“You see, I proposed to my wife while donning a suit of knight’s armor, accompanied by a grand choir serenading us!”
The couple exchanged vows in 1996 and have since shared the joys of raising two grown-up children, Lucy and Amy.
Landmark anniversary
(Image: Getty Images)
Back in 2021, Brian Conley celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife Anne-Marie, and he took to Instagram to share a heartfelt post along with a lovely photo of them.
Brian expressed his joy, saying: “What a special day! 25 years of adventures with this beautiful lady by my side. I’m incredibly proud to call you my wife, my friend, my soulmate. 25 years of togetherness, a remarkable milestone in this industry. Perhaps a record!”
(Image: Getty Images)
Eight months after Brian’s proposal, they tied the knot on August 4 1996 n a charming ceremony at Stoke Poges chapel in Buckinghamshire.
To add a touch of whimsy, they made their exit in the iconic car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Not involved in showbiz herself, Anne-Marie has been an integral part of Brian’s life.
The secret to their enduring marriage, as Brian shared with The Mirror, lies in the balance they find between their worlds.
(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)
In her own Instagram post, Anne-Marie reflected on their journey, writing: “25 years ago, I married this amazing man. Our first encounter was in 1991 when Brian was preparing to go on stage as Buttons at Wimbledon Theatre.
“I distinctly remember thinking, ‘Wow, he’s wearing a lot of makeup!’ (I’m not part of the showbiz scene). Our first date took us to The Victoria Palace Theatre to see Buddy, and Brian’s opening joke to me was, ‘Do you want to see a photo of my kids?'”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
