Coronation Street's Imogen star Melissa Johns marries long-term love in dream ceremony

"This isn't how I expected to feel," confesses Melissa Johns, as she sits down for a chat just days after her stunning Herefordshire wedding to Dan Hampton. It turns out that the former Coronation Street actress - who is best known for her role as Imogen Pascoe on the iconic soap - is simply overwhelmed by her newfound marital bliss.

"I know it sounds really weird, but what I mean is, I just feel absolutely wonderful," the 34 year old told OK!. "I just thought it was going to be a wedding day and a party. I didn't expect to feel such an unbelievable change in myself and my relationship. It's bizarre to feel like you just fell in love with someone all over again. It's just wonderful."

The beautiful ceremony took place against the stunning backdrop of the 14th-century Brinsop Court Manor House and Barn on 11 October, a day Melissa describes as "perfect". The bride looked radiant in a strapless fishtail gown with a fitted corset and bead embellishments, while her groom, a 36 year old transport planning consultant, looked dapper in a three-piece tweed suit and paisley tie, reports OK!.

Melissa, who was born without half of her right arm, shares the profound significance of saying 'I Do'. "Because of having one arm and looking very different to other people growing up, when I was young, I wasn't necessarily sure getting married was something that would happen for me," Melissa says. "People do comment on it and question whether you'll find love or get married, simply because of the way you look or because you're disabled. So, because of the way I grew up, our special day meant a million times more to me."

With a lively entourage including six bridesmaids, five groomsmen, and their adorable Sprocker spaniel, Nancy, the ceremony was far from dull.

But for Melissa, the pinnacle was the moment before she walked down the aisle. "The most special moment for me was turning around the corner into the aisle and seeing the faces of all our friends and family. Then they all blurred into one, and there was Dan, at the end of the aisle.

"There were people I've been friends with since I was five or six years old, people I share the screen with, and my family - all in one space. I hope that moment stays with me for the rest of my life," she gushes. She chose to walk down the aisle to Clinton Kane's I Guess I'm In Love, explaining, "It's a beautiful, beautiful song and there was a particular part of the song I wanted to walk down to. But all the bridesmaids had already gone and, in that moment, it felt like I was waiting too long for it.

"I said to my wedding planner, Amelia, 'Shall I just go now? I think everyone is waiting.' She said, 'No, Melissa. You have imagined walking down the aisle to that part of the song, and you will walk down to that. People can wait for another 20 seconds! ' I'm grateful for that."

After the wait was over and the vows were exchanged, Melissa and Dan celebrated in grand style with a magical first dance, an outdoor champagne shower and a night filled with laughter. Among the guests were several of Melissa's on-screen colleagues, including Coronation Street stars Cherylee Houston and Bhavna Limbachia. Melissa, also known for her role as Jennifer Scott in the popular ITV series Grantchester, was also joined by her co-star Bradley Hall.

Melissa and Dan are all loved up following their delightful 'mini-moon' in Sicily, thanks to Emmerdale stars Laura Norton and her partner Mark Jordon. Sharing the details of their romantic getaway, Melissa enthuses, "Mark and Laura have been holding the Cure Usher Ball, which raises money for research into Usher syndrome, for the last few years. Last year, Dan and I won this trip to Sicily in the silent auction - so cheers for that, both! " The couple's official honeymoon is set to happen later in Saint Lucia.

After a two-year courtship, Dan proposed to Melissa in June 2023, with both having come out of serious relationships just one year prior to meeting. Reflecting on their union, Melissa says: "I always assumed I'd meet the person I was going to be with in my twenties. But actually, I couldn't be happier I met Dan in my thirties."

She believes that finding love at this stage in life comes with greater self-love and appreciation: "I love myself so much more now. To be able to do this at an age where I really appreciate myself and the life I live makes it so much better. When you get older, you really don't hold back. There's no gameplaying - it's just genuine because you're confident in who you are. Maybe I wasn't as confident in who I was in my twenties, so actually, meeting him now was the way it was always meant to be."

When asked if she knew immediately that he was The One, Melissa responded with a resounding "Yes, definitely! " She explained: "When you meet someone who is so different to all the others, you really do know."

Despite being in a 'wedding bubble', Melissa had to return to work after a few days of Italian bliss, filming Grantchester in the UK. "I got a week off from filming, and then I'm back," she shared.

"But I absolutely love it. Grantchester is one of the most wonderful period dramas to be a part of. "I'm also continuing to develop my one-woman show, Snatched, which toured the UK a couple of years ago. We're now adapting that for television, which is exciting. Getting to do the job I do is just an absolute dream."

Becoming Dan's wife has been the icing on the cake, as Melissa concludes, "I just still can't quite believe everything I've ever wanted has actually happened. I dreamt of falling in love and meeting someone who was going to be respectful and lovely, and give us both a life of adventure. It's just perfect."