Unmarried No More

TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, 53, has surprised friends and fans alike by marrying her long-time partner Ben Andersen in a discreet ceremony at Grosvenor Chapel in Mayfair. The chapel, famously featured in the classic rom-com Love Actually, provided a fitting backdrop for the unexpected celebration.

Known for her vocal stance on remaining “happily unmarried,” Allsopp kept the nuptials tightly under wraps. Guests were reportedly led to believe they were attending Andersen’s surprise 64th birthday party, only to discover it was a wedding.

The couple, who have been together for over 20 years, share two sons, Bay (20) and Oscar (17). Andersen, a property developer, also has two children from a previous relationship. Despite their long-standing partnership, Allsopp had often expressed contentment with their unconventional family setup, once stating: “I have no problem being a middle-aged girlfriend with an even older middle-aged boyfriend.”

The ceremony paid homage to Love Actually director Richard Curtis, a neighbor of the couple and a fellow advocate of happy non-traditional relationships. Allsopp walked down the aisle in an elegant Oscar de la Renta gown, while Andersen donned a sharp blue suit. The Beatles’ classic All You Need Is Love played during the ceremony, echoing the 2003 film’s iconic wedding scene.

Grosvenor Chapel holds personal significance for Allsopp, as it also served as the venue for her late father Charles’ memorial service last year.

The TV presenter has often made headlines for her candid parenting views, including a viral moment in 2018 when she revealed on The Jeremy Vine Show that she had smashed her children’s iPads to enforce screen-time limits.