Blue singer Lee Ryan marries X Factor star in secret Spanish wedding

Blue star Lee Ryan married his long-time partner Verity Paris in lockdown, and has only just got round to hosting their proper big day two years later with friends and family.

The singer, 41, and Verity – who was on the X Factor in 2009 and previously worked as an Ariana Grande impersonator – legally married in a civil ceremony in Gibraltar, but were not allowed any guests due to the pandemic restrictions.

Now, the pair – who have three children under the age of three together – finally celebrated their big day properly on October 7 in Seville.

All of Lee’s Blue bandmates attended the nuptials, which saw opera singer Marina Simioni take to the microphone, leaving everyone ‘in tears’.

‘We got married in lockdown but it was a very small ceremony without our family there – as we just wanted to be married ASAP. We always knew we would have a proper ceremony later down the line,’ Lee told OK, opening up about his secret bash earlier this month for the first time.

Despite the ceremony and party being held in Spain, it unfortunately rained. But that didn’t dampen their spirits as Lee told the publication it felt like ‘a dream’.

For the service – which Lee said was his favourite part of the day – they melded different religions and ‘spiritual elements’ which ‘made everyone cry’.

He walked down the aisle with his newborn baby in his arms – dressed in a matching tuxedo – to Time by Hans Zimmer, played by a string quartet,

His wife walked down the aisle to I’m Kissing You by Des’ree, sung by a gospel choir, which took Lee’s ‘breath away’ and made him cry.

The All Rise hitmaker said he cried three times; while he was walking down the aisle, as Verity did, and again when they tied their hands.

‘I felt like I was in a dream, a dream I never thought would come true. It was like a movie,’ Lee said on seeing his wife in her wedding dress.

The pair banned mobile phones in the ceremony to help his guests be present, and their first dance song was John Legend’s Never Break.

They had a grand total of 13 flower girls – two of which were their daughters – and the wedding day was full of ‘beautiful chaos’ because of them.

On having his Blue bandmates there – Duncan James, Antony Costa, and Simon Webbe – Lee said: ‘I don’t have any actual brothers – but they are my brothers. Through thick and thin, all four of us.

‘We’ve had many ups and downs over the years and it’s only the four of us who really know what it’s like. It’s a bond that’s lasted 24 years now.’

While none of them were trusted with speeches, Simon sang No Worries in an impromptu moment sounding ‘brilliant’, as everyone got to their feet and sang along with him.

Lee also remembered the moment he and Verity met backstage at a Christmas lights switch on, two years before their lockdown wedding.

They went on their first date a few weeks later and bonded over their love of sushi, and he knew she was the one on their second date, as they danced around his living room to John Legend.

This comes as Blue are due to tour Italy’s arenas, and they are set to be special guests on Olly Murs’ 2025 dates.

As for what’s next, Lee noted their 25th anniversary is coming up, and while he can’t ‘say much just yet’ the Blue boys have ‘a lot planned’.

Outside of Blue, Lee and Verity have teamed up as a country/folk duo called Lemonville, and are currently recording music to be released in the future.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.