Inside Ben Ofoedu's incredible celeb-packed wedding reception as he mentions ex Vanessa Feltz in his groom's speech
On Wednesday, in a stunning castle in Carlisle, the Phats & Small singer 's second act began when he married a woman 23 years his junior - who just so happens to be called Vanessa, too.
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'I know what true love is now,' Ben told The Sun 's Assistant Showbiz Editor Amanda Devlin, who was invited to his special day.
Despite costing £100,000, the wedding was priceless to 52-year-old Ben, who never thought he'd fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming a husband, with hopes too, of soon becoming a dad.
In his emotional wedding speech in front of his new bride Vanessa Brown, 29, Ben told guests: 'I knew the first time I met Vanessa, I'm going to fall in love with this girl.
'It sounds crazy, but I told her that, I knew I was giving her attention, but I had intentions with this girl. So on the second date I told her I wanted to marry her and have children because I thought that by saying it, it separates the wheat from the chaff.'
Wedding guest Dane Bowers, from boyband Another Level, heckled: 'That, and you're really old.'
The joke brought the house down, but it was a stark reminder of what Ben gave up during his long-term relationship with divorced TV presenter, Vanessa, who was ten years his senior and had already had two children when they met in 2005.
Their engagement was a mark of commitment, but after a bitter first marriage, Vanessa had no intention of making it official.
By the time they split in January 2023, Ben was devastated about the family life he felt he'd missed out on - but after meeting 'Vanessa 2.0' says: 'Everything happens for a reason. I understand that now.'
Although it might not be customary to bring up an ex on your wedding day, Ben wears his heart on his sleeve, and told the wedding party about his low point after splitting from Vanessa Feltz, saying: 'It's no secret that I went through a really hard two years.
'Not everyone knew how difficult a place I was in because I was putting up a brave front, but I was quite down behind the scenes.'
Vanessa Feltz takes subtle swipe at ex Ben Ofoedu after his wedding - live on C5 show
Months before the split, Ben's younger brother Roy died suddenly aged 47 after an 'unexpected medical crisis'.
During his vows, Ben wiped away tears as he lit a candle in remembrance of him, knowing he was there in spirit.
He reflected, during his wedding speech, about a conversation with his other sibling Alan in April last year, who said that after going through bad times himself, things were on the up, adding: 'God is in business'.
The phrase struck Ben, a man of faith, who said in his groom's speech: 'I broke down in tears, I was crying uncontrollably.
'So I got down on my knees and prayed. I asked God, 'is it true? Are you still in business? Will you take a customer like me?'
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'I know it sounds funny, but it's the truth. Two days later I got a call that changed my life.'
Standing in front of his pop star pals of decades - Boyzone' s Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch, Dane and Abz from Five - Ben revealed how a twist of fate saw him meet Vanessa on April 19, 2024.
Ben ended up being drafted into Boyz on Block alongside Shane and Abz after being called up last minute to perform at the Elite Awards in Carlisle after Boyzlife (with Keith and Westlife's Brian McFadden) were forced to cancel.
Ben proposed to Vanessa in New York on Valentine's Day and married just shy of 15 months since the day they met.
The groom raised a glass to thank Keith for pulling out of the gig - and Dane for being unavailable.
Having been friends since the 90s, the singers attending his special day meant the world to Ben - who invited best man Shane, Keith, Abz, Bradley McIntosh from S Club up on stage for an unforgettable medley of all their biggest hits.
Their true friendship shone during the hour-long set, as the men reminisced on their three-decade careers and thoroughly entertained the crowd with their collaboration.
They were, of course, joined by the VIP of the day, Vanessa, who sang and danced from behind the DJ decks before an open mic night in the marquee on the grounds of the 800-year-old Rose Castle.
I first became friends with Ben years ago and was lucky to be one of just 80 guests as part of their three-day celebration.
Their big day perfectly encapsulated them as a couple and I've never seen him happier.
Despite the inevitable raised eyebrows about the couple's age-gap and whirlwind romance, Vanessa is everything Ben needs.
Known for his generosity amongst pals, it seemed fitting to be married in the chapel of a palace gifted in 1230 by Henry III to bishops of Carlisle.
The mix of a traditional setting with the fun and vibrancy of the wedding itself is just like the couple.
Aesthetics expert Vanessa is an incredibly successful business woman who doesn't need a man to provide for her.
However, her independence doesn't cast a shadow over Ben, but allows for a relationship that is on equal footing - despite their differences.
Even though there have been recent attacks in the media from Vanessa Feltz's camp rehashing infidelity claims, Ben's bride takes everything in her stride with a beautiful smile on her face.
Far from suffering wedding morning nerves, she enjoyed yoga with her bridal party before slipping into her gorgeous off-shoulder lace wedding dress.
'I thought it would be easy to find a dress,' Vanessa tells me: 'But this was the sixth I tried on.
'Nothing felt right until I saw this one and then I knew, 'this is it'. Just like when I met Ben, when you know you know.'
The wedding was planned in just five months, but you'd never have thought it, with every detail meticulously executed - from the wedding guest tables being named after the guest pop stars' most famous songs to a jaw-dropping lights show for everyone to enjoy.
Even their flowers, costing in the region of £10,000, had meaning behind them.
Vanessa Feltz and Ben Ofoedu relationship timeline
2005
The couple meet at a Christmas party after being introduced by mutual friend Keith Duffy.
Ben tells OK! years later: 'My first impression of you Feltzy was cheeky, very very cheeky and very very quick-witted."
2016
The pair get engaged in December in Ireland after a whirlwind romance. Ben pulls out all the stops, covering their hotel bed in red roses.
2020
Ben teases on Loose Women that a ceremony is imminent. He says: "I think we'll be making an announcement very, very soon.
2022
The stance changes significantly. Vanessa tells OK!: "I do think 'never say never', but I certainly haven't made any plans for a wedding and I think we're quite happy this way."
2023
Shocked Vanessa announces the relationship is over, heartbroken by Ben's infidelity.
Mentioned in the Bible's Song of Solomon as being 'strong but humble', lily of the valley flowers were worn by royalty and by grooms as a symbol of 'renewed happiness' and a successful marriage.
Ben told The Sun: 'Feltzy wasn't right for me - my wife is. I know what true love is now.
'One of the key things about my journey with my now-wife was our passion to start a family.
'We talked about our love to be parents on our second date. This was a deciding factor that we were on the same path.
"I had the best years of my life stolen and almost missed out on my chance to fulfil my dream of getting married and having children so that I could be someone's companion.
"I'm so happy and grateful to my wife for what is going to be an unbelievably happy future."
The promise of 'renewed happiness', as his flower arrangement suggests, is what I wish most for Ben, who has, for many years, lived in the shadow of someone else.
Having spent many times with Ben at his lowest, seeing him on stage at the wedding reception serenading his new wife proved that while nothing lasts forever, you never know what is in your future.
Things can truly, Turn Around, for the best.
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