When charismatic gypsy traveller Paddy Doherty introduced his family and friends to the nation onscreen in 2010, viewers were fascinated and baffled in equal measure by his community’s way of life.
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, the hit Channel 4 show, delved into the every day lives of the travelling community in the UK and Ireland for the first time.
In particular, its focus was on romance, courting and marriage – as well as what life looked like for travellers after they had tied the knot.
As viewers got an intimate look inside the community’s lavish wedding ceremonies, the show boasted diamante, frills and extravagant make-up as young brides prepared for the biggest day of their lives.
The show was so popular, it ran for five years on UK TV – and even inspired a US spin-off.
The first ever episode of the documentary was filmed in 2010 and was voted the Most Groundbreaking Show in the Cultural Diversity Awards of the year.
But the drama among the cast wasn’t confined to the show’s episodes – with many cast members embroiled in controversy years after the series was axed.
Here, FEMAIL takes a look into the lives of the nation’s favourite travellers, 10 years after they left our screens…
Paddy Doherty & Roseanne Doherty
Paddy Doherty (pictured on the show) is arguably the most successful of those to have come from the traveller show – having gone on to appear in a number of subsequent TV shows including Big Brother
However, the last few years have proved difficult for the bruiser, who tragically lost his champion horse and cart racer nephew Michael ‘Mikey’ Connors, 32, in July 2018 (Roseanne Doherty pictured right)
Paddy Doherty is arguably the most successful of those to have come from the traveller reality programme – having gone on to appear in a number of additional TV shows including Big Brother, which he won.
Paddy was crowned winner of the eighth series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2011 after beating Kerry Katona in the final. Other housemates that series included Jedward and TOWIE’s Amy Childs.
He also went on to film a two-part television documentary, When Paddy Met Sally, in 2012, alongside the former Speaker of The House of Commons, Sally Bercow, in a Wife Swap-style reality show.
During the show, Sally moved into Paddy’s chalet on his travellers’ site in north Wales where she spent a period of time living by his rules. In the second part of the television show, Paddy headed to Sally’s home, where he was immersed into her drastically different way of life.
Following a stint of successful TV show appearances, Paddy was faced with a string of unlucky blows including a number of health issues and tragic deaths of those closest to him.
In July 2018, he tragically lost his champion horse and cart racer nephew Michael ‘Mikey’ Connors, 32.
The bareknuckle boxer has also suffered a number of health issues over the last few year. In 2019, the traveller revealed he had been suffering with prostate cancer for seven months. Luckily, he has since received the all clear, much to the relief of the community.
Paddy previously opened up about the impact the diagnosis had on his mental health. He told The Sun: ‘When I found out I had prostate [cancer)], my head messed up big time. No one knows it until you’re in that situation.’
He also went on to film a two-part television documentary, When Paddy Met Sally, in 2012, alongside the former Speaker of The House of Commons, Sally Bercow, (pictured) in a Wife Swap style reality show
In 2018, t he bruiser who tragically lost his champion horse and cart racer nephew Michael ‘Mikey’ Connors, 32, in July 2018
In 2021, Paddy contracted Covid, which left him chronically ill and struggling to breathe in hospital. A year later, he was rushed to hospital once again after suffering a heart attack.
At the time, he shared a video on social media vowing to give up drinking and embark on a healthier lifestyle after turning to booze to cope with his mother’s dementia.
Paddy’s mother Elizabeth, known as Queenie, died in April 2018 less than a year after her husband of 60 years Simon passed away.
He said in the clip: ‘My heart I think… I had a heart attack last night. My breathing keeps being difficult. It’s like a horse sitting on your chest.’
‘You know what it is? It’s just all the stress with my brother Martin, and my mother with the dementia.
‘Maybe I couldn’t handle it. And then I went on the beer, I went to drink. It’s no good. I was trapped in my own world. I couldn’t deal with me and I couldn’t deal with my mother in a home. I used to drink just to get drunk. Really my nerves are f***ed up.’
Now in recovery, the former Channel 4 star regularly posts funny videos and life updates to his Facebook page. In one recent video, Paddy posted a cheeky video while getting his hair trimmed.
Paddy appeared on the the Channel 4 show alongside his wife, Roseanne, with whom he shares five children with.
Roseanne, who has been married to Paddy since 1977, has largely kept out the spotlight after the hit show ended and does not appear to be active on social media.
Thelma Madine
Liverpool-born Thelma was well-known for crafting some of the most extravagant gowns for blushing traveller brides (pictured)
After the show, the dressmaker had become so beloved for her creations that she went on to film a spin-off show, Thelma’s Gypsy Girls
Liverpool-born Thelma was well-known for crafting some of the most extravagant gowns on the hit Channel 4 show, and was a well-known face throughout its five years on TV.
After the show was axed, Thelma continued to further her TV career.
The dressmaker had become so beloved for her creations that she went on to film a spin-off show, Thelma’s Gypsy Girls.
But shortly after filming ended, the dress star became embroiled in a vicious court case with former head designer, Leanne Phillips.
Leanne claimed that she has been unfairly dismissed by the Gypsy Wedding star following a vicious shouting match that ended in the head designer calling her former employer a ‘horrible b***h’.
Despite the row, the court was found in favour of Leanne, arguing that the decision to sack her had been ‘unreasonable’ and based on personal rather than business reasons.
Leanne had previously been described by Thelma as a ‘creative force’ at her traveller dress shop, Nico, in Liverpool.
Following the tense dispute, Leanne went on to set up her own rival shop, also in Liverpool, called Leanne Alexandra.
But it wasn’t the end of the squabble between the rival dressmakers.
In 2017, Thelma successfully sued her former colleague after she claimed she had copied one of her most famous designs.
Thelma also claimed Leanne had robbed designs to create her Crystal Princess Figurine range, which included a selection of seven collectible porcelain figurines of girls in huge gypsy style dresses.
She asked Leanne to pay £20,000 in damages, as well as £90,000 in legal costs.
Despite winning the court case, the ordeal was painful for Thelma, who even compared it to being in prison.
Thelma, who spent a brief stint behind bars in 2001 following a case of benefit fraud, said her dispute with Leanne was even worse.
She told the Liverpool Echo: ‘I have gone through every emotion – anger, disappointment, hatred.
‘Prison wasn’t as bad as this – that was nothing compared to what this has been.’
Thelma, 73, recently attended her daughter, Katrina Armstrong’s wedding – and drew attention when she walked Katrina down the aisle, while herself also wearing a crisp white dress.
Thelma had a big job on her hands when the nuptials rolled around, making three bespoke dresses costing £32,000 and requiring 22 pairs of hands, for her daughter who exchanged vows with husband Michael Lazarus-Bhatti, just last week.
In spite of controversies in her career, Thelma is still creating incredible designs for traveller celebrations. Her social media account reveals dozens of glitzy gowns, with a description stating that she builds designs for ‘wedding communions, christening and Irish dance weddings’.
Danielle Mason & Tony Giles
Danielle Bracknell (pictured) appeared in season two of the show in 2012 when she married cage-fighter, Tony Giles
Danielle, (right) who is not a traveller, went on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding to marry cage-fighter Tony Giles (left) when she was around 28 years old
Danielle, from Bracknell in Berkshire, appeared in season two of the show in 2012, when she married cage-fighter, Tony Giles.
Danielle is the younger sister of Eastenders legend Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater, and not originally from the traveller community.
She first Tony met in 2010 and fell pregnant with his child in the same year. At the time, their relationship caused a stir in the community as they had a child out of wedlock which is frowned upon in traveller culture.
Before going on the show, she had enjoyed a career in glamour and page 3 modelling, jetting off across the world and earning as much as £10,000 for each shoot.
She got her job through connections after accepting a job as a runner on EastEnders, where her sister worked.
‘I was cra**ing myself with the thought of getting my t**s out, but the money was really good,’ Danielle told the Sun.
‘Even though it felt a bit overwhelming it was very exciting.’
But Danielle’s choice of work became one of the reasons why her and Tony had an on-and-off relationship which consisted of a marriage, a split, a second proposal, followed by another break-up.
The pair met in 2010 and Danielle fell pregnant the same year. At the time, their relationship caused a stir in the community as they had a child out of wedlock, which is frowned upon in traveller culture
Danielle enjoyed a career in glamour and page 3 modelling eight years before she went on the show and would often jet across the world, earning as much as £10,000 for each shoot
Family ties: The former Page 3 girl is the younger sister of Jessie Wallace
Just one year after the episode aired, Danielle claimed she and Tony had an argument on Boxing Day, which had led to them splitting up.
They then got back together, before separating again in 2016, because Tony didn’t agree with her job.
The pair then briefly reunited, with Danielle telling The Sun: ‘It was the glamour modelling that drove us apart because he was quite jealous.
‘But we’ve come to an agreement that I involve him and run everything past him, so he’s more chilled now.
‘Tony is very open-minded but a lot of traveller men would not accept that.’
The couple, who have two children together, Rudy and Delilah, then rekindled their romance, which led to Tony popping the question for a second time in 2019.
At the time, Danielle revealed how excited her children were that their parents had patched things up, claiming: ‘That’s all the kids ever wanted. When their dad wasn’t there it was always, ‘Where’s daddy?’ and when they went to their dad’s it was, ‘Where’s Mummy?’
But the couple broke up again shortly after as she claimed noticed that Tony’s Facebook profile still said he was ‘single’.
In 2021, Danielle started dating an ex-convict Ben Hatchett, who spent time in Broadmoor Hospital (both pictured)
Since appearing on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Danielle appeared on Channel 5’s Gypsies Next Door in 2019 – a show that explored how travellers and non-travellers live together in the same community.
During her time on the show, she helped coach a traveller girl who wanted to go into modelling.
Tony also went on to star in the 2021 show, Here Come The Gypsies, which delved into traveller culture.
And it wasn’t the end of turbulent flings for the former model. In 2021, Danielle started dating an ex-convict Ben Hatchett, who had previously been institutionalised in Broadmoor Hospital.
Th facility treats men detained under the Mental Health Act and has been home to a number of infamous criminals including Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe and London gangster, Ronnie Kray.
Danielle first met Ben when he interviewed her for his podcast and they had their first date on the hospital’s grounds, as he was interviewing another person there (both pictured)
Ben was convicted for knife crimes he committed as a teenager and was sent to Broadmoor after he attempted to escape from hospital aged 21.
He was then moved to Ashworth high security prison and was later released in 2020, going on to launch a YouTube podcast and began a career as a bare-knuckle boxer.
Danielle first met Ben when he interviewed her for his podcast and they had their first date at Broadmoor. Having left the prison years earlier, Ben was filming a show for Amazon Prime when he invited Danielle to meet him for a date.
Explaining why she fell for him, Danielle told MailOnline: ‘He’s passionate about anti-knife crime. He wants to make a positive difference in the world and he is very passionate about inspiring the younger generation.
‘We got a really strong connection, he’s caring and protective towards me. It’s definitely love.’
However the romance was short-lived and the pair shortly broke up after.
‘It lasted for five months and all I can say is that it was a mistake,’ she told the Sun.
Danielle is now engaged to landscape gardener Lee Dopson, after meeting him in her local Co-op (both pictured)
‘It was in the midst of the pandemic, when we were in and out of lockdowns and I think I’d gone a bit mad.
‘I look back on it and wonder what the hell I was doing. I know he’s reformed but I would never condone any criminal activity.’
Danielle is now engaged to landscape gardener Lee Dopson, after meeting him in her local Co-op.
She told the Sun: ‘I looked awful, I wasn’t wearing a scrap of make-up, my hair was scraped back, and I was still in my pyjamas with a big coat over them.
‘I was in such a rush I dropped my change and Lee picked it up for me. I looked at him and thought he was gorgeous.’
The pair then bumped into each other at the store again, with Lee admitting that he hoped to see the former glamour model a second time.
Danielle said she feels as though she has met her ‘soulmate’, adding: ‘We’re thinking about having a big white wedding – but we might end up eloping to Vegas if the planning all gets too much.’
Danielle has since swapped her days of modelling to become a cleaning expert and presenter on TV and radio stations.
She often makes clips of herself sharing her top tips and tricks on Instagram and TikTok under the name Miss Mason Cleaning.
Josie McFayden & Swanley Smith
Josie McFayden and Swanley Smith are pictured on their wedding day, where millions of viewers tuned in to see them tie the knot
Josie McFadyen famously became the first woman on the show to tie the knot – celebrating an extravagant nuptial with her childhood sweetheart Swanley Smith aged just 16
Josie McFadyen famously became the first woman on My Big Fat Gypsy wedding to tie the knot – celebrating an extravagant nuptial with her childhood sweetheart Swanley Smith aged just 16.
But just two years after marrying in front of 6.5 million home viewers, the pair decided to split.
Amid blazing rows and a string of vicious arguments, their separation was confirmed when Josie threatened to burn her five-stone net and diamante wedding gown.
She appeared on This Morning shortly after the divorce announcement. Josie, who was at 18 at the time, said: ‘No, I would never burn it, my mummy and my daddy got me that dress and that something they didn’t know was going to not work out, it’s not their fault, it’s not the dress’s fault, it’s Swanley’s fault.’
‘At the time I was really angry with Swanley.’
Josie McFayden and Swanley Smith are pictured at the National Television Awards at the o2 in 2012
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Josie McFadyen appears on This Morning to speak about her break up in 2012
Now, Josie offers life updates via her TikTok channel where she shares sweet clips of her children.
According to her Facebook page, the traveller is ‘in a relationship’ – and she has posted several photos of herself snuggled up to an unknown man.
She also described herself as a ‘full-time mummy’ who now lives in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
She is also now a mother of at least five, as per her Facebook description which lists Christopher, Barbara, Angela, Isaac and Roseline, who are thought to be her children.
Her Facebook page reveals dozens of pictures of her and her children whom she has called her ‘babies’.
Bill & Joe Smith
Twin brothers Bill and Joe both appeared in the third series of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding in 2014. Both working tree surgeons, the cameras documented the brothers going to work while in the show.
Despite their onscreen charm, the pair came to a tragic fate just five years after filming.
In 2019, they were both found dead by suicide in Sevenoaks – a spot where they had once played when they were young.
An old photograph of the pair was found in Billy’s pocket, and their initials and the year 2020 were carved into a tree trunk.
The tree surgeons had battled with depression for some time and had just returned from a month-long holiday together in Thailand when they made comments about ending their lives (pictured)
They also left a suicide note which read: ‘We have decided to leave this life behind us. You will find us in the woods by Granny’s where we used to have fires. Take care. We are right where we want to be.’
Inquests into the brothers’ deaths revealed that the pair had died by joint suicide and that: ‘One didn’t want to leave the other one behind and unfortunately, yes I would say the depression, anxiety with both of them was too much and took its toll.’
Assistant coroner Alan Blunsdon said: ‘These twins were inseparable in their lives together. They spent a great deal of time working together as tree surgeons.’
The twins were thought to have battled a long history of mental issues and couldn’t bear the thought of being without one another.
Just before their deaths, they had have spent a month together holidaying in Thailand.
But despite the sunny holiday, when the pair returned, they were both reportedly making comments about ending their lives.
In 2019, the pair were both found dead Sevenoaks – a spot where the two had once played when they were young
The inquest at County Hall in Maidstone, Kent, noted that both had a history of depression and other health issues.
Joe, who was a father, had received a diagnosis for bladder cancer while Billy had been experiencing back and leg pain for an extended period of time.
A cousin of the twins, Phoebe Charleen Smith told The Telegraph: ‘Joey had cancer, and Billy told him ‘I’d never be able to live without you’.
‘Joey told the family he got the all-clear after chemo two months ago, but we don’t know if that’s true now.
‘They went missing, and Joey’s phone was turned off. Then we found a note. It said that they wanted it like this, and we would find them in the woods where they played with the family years ago.’
Following their deaths, star of the show, Paddy Doherty left a heartfelt message on social media. He wrote: ‘RIP PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE TWO DEAR SOULS. God rest rest [sic] them in peace.’
Hundreds gathered to watch the funeral procession in the twins’ home town of Sevenoaks.
Their identical coffins were led by two horse-drawn carriages. Mourners stopped to kiss their glass carriages as it headed towards St John’s Church.
Their floral tributes were shaped as Rolex watch and a bottle of tequila, along with the words ‘daddy’ and ‘uncle’.
During the service, the song UB40 Many Rivers to Cross was played, as ‘requested by the boys’.
Joan Furey & Patrick Ward
One year after Joan married Patrick, the pair filed for divorce and the decree was finalised on the grounds that Joan claimed Patrick was ‘controlling and jealous’ in their relationship. Joan pictured in 2012
Mancunian Joan had one of the most memorable weddings on the show. Pictured with her husband at the time, Patrick
Mancunian Joan had one of the most memorable weddings on the show, arriving at the church in a Cinderella-style carriage donning a dress with a 20ft train in 2009.
She married 22-year-old Irish traveller and part-time labourer, Patrick Ward and gushed that she would never get divorced from her groom.
However, just one year after the fairy-tale wedding, Joan and Patrick split when she was eight months pregnant.
The decree was finalised in 2011, on the grounds that Patrick was ‘controlling and jealous’ in their relationship, according to Joan.
She had taken down all of the pictures of their special day from the family mantelpiece and the dress, adorned with Swarovski crystals, was sold off for an undisclosed amount.
Joan said in 2012 that she didn’t know if Patrick was aware of the name of their son, Roman, then one.
Joan had a fairy tale wedding with a diamanté encrusted gown and a horse and carriage to take her to the church
Joan said in 2012 that she didn’t know if Patrick was aware of the name of their son, Roman, then one
Another traveller family bought her wedding gown and it was walked down the aisle for a second time – however, Joan doesn’t know who purchased it.
She told the Mail in 2012: ‘The wedding should not have gone ahead,’ she says with brutal honesty today.
‘I didn’t love Patrick. I had my doubts during the whole six months of our engagement, and that was evident on the show.
‘I thought I loved him, but looking back I just convinced myself because he loved me so obsessively and had pursued me so persistently.
‘I thought anyone who loves you that much has to be worth a chance, but he was not the nice boy I thought he was. He turned into something else, something nasty, jealous and controlling.’
She met Patrick at a funeral in Ireland in 2006.
‘He was persistent, following me around all night. I was flattered, thinking it was a good thing, but looking back it wasn’t.’
Patrick ‘wooed’ Joan within the strict boundaries established and patrolled by their families for the next three years.
Patrick visited Manchester a number of times, and the couple went out to the cinema or socialised with friends — but always with a chaperone.
Finally, in 2009, Joan accepted Patrick’s proposal of marriage over the telephone, and he travelled to the UK to officially ask for her hand in marriage. Joan’s father readily agreed.
Unbeknown to viewers of that first show in February 2010, Joan had called the wedding off five weeks before the day, only to be talked round by Patrick. Even the night before, she was having serious doubts.
‘I’d told my parents and they were very supportive, saying it was my life and my decision,’ said Joan.
Joan had a large white wedding dress with a whopping 20ft train, which another traveller family has since bought
‘I also told the programme producer. She knew what was going on, and didn’t try to persuade me one way or the other, but I felt under enormous pressure.
‘If I’d broken off the engagement at that point, it would have been a huge scandal. No gypsy woman ever does that.
‘Also the whole build-up to the wedding had been filmed and was due to be broadcast. Not only would I be humiliated within my community, but also on national television.’
Joan said that Patrick had since returned to the travelling community in Ireland and claimed she hadn’t heard from him in over a year in 2012.
She said that he’d gotten married to another young traveller bride and she didn’t know whether he knew what his own son was called.
Cheyenne Pidgeley and John McFadyen
Cheyenne Pidgeley, (pictured) who was just 14 when she first appeared on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, played a role in one of the most controversial unions of the show
Cheyenne Pidgeley, who was just 14 when she first appeared on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, played a role in one of the most controversial unions of the show.
The Traveller, from Hersham, Surrey, was held up against a wall by a 17-year-old boy, John McFadyen, who attempted to kiss her, in a tradition that is known in the Traveller community as ‘grabbing’.
Although viewers were shocked by the scene where the courting tradition was caught on camera, Cheyenne accepted John’s proposal a month later.
It was his apology by phone call that endeared Cheyenne to the property developer.
In March 2012, when Cheyenne was 16 and John was 18, the pair married in a glitzy ceremony at St Peter’s Church in Hersham with 200 guests.
Dressed in an extravagant white lace and crystal dress so wide that she struggled to squeeze through the front door of her family bungalow, Cheyenne looked in high spirits as she posed for photos with her family and friends outside.
The three adult bridesmaids were resplendent in candy pink lace fishtail dresses, their skin deeply tanned and their tonged hair piled up on top of their heads.
Six further child bridesmaids were dressed in frothy pink tutus tied in the middle with broad satin ribbon, while their curly hair was adorned with feathered corsages on white Alice bands.
In March 2012, when Cheyenne was 16 and John was 18, the pair married in a glitzy ceremony at St Peter’s Church in Hersham with 200 guests
Guests dressed in their finery – with one decorating her electronic ankle tag for the occasion using pink plastic gemstones.
John’s mother donned a sparkly silver dress for the occasion. The absence of Cheyenne’s mother, who died of cancer the previous year, was sorely felt but the couple honoured her by putting her photograph on the front of the Order of Service for the ceremony.
Yet, the couple’s relationship was put to the test in 2018 when John, then 24, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after he and his brother, Isaac, threatened to take a toddler from his mother in a bungled robbery.
One of Cheyenne and John’s wedding guests decorated her electronic ankle tag for the occasion using pink plastic gemstones
The episode was caught on CCTV and John could be heard telling the frightened mother, who was a neighbour of presenter Amanda Holden, to give him her rings. He said: ‘I’m going to hurt your child and take him away.’
McFadyen and Isaac were soon seen off by a group of scaffolders armed with poles and, once caught by the police, the brothers admitted conspiracy to rob – for which they were jailed.
However, judging by Cheyenne’s Instagram account (@cheyenne_johnx) the couple are still together.
Her profile picture features the two of them while her bio states her name as Cheyenne McFadyen and suggests they share three daughters and one son.
She adds: ‘Married to my Bestfriend’.
Reflecting on her daughters’ futures, Cheyenne told The Sun: ‘If she leaves school at 13 like me that’s fine – I want her to learn to read and write, that’d be nice, but I don’t think she needs to know more than that.
‘If she wants to marry at 16, I’ll support her.’
Sam Norton & Pat Lee
Non-traveller Sam, a 17-year-old barmaid, married Pat Lee, a 20-year-old tree surgeon in 2011
Non-traveller Sam, a 17-year-old barmaid, married Pat Lee, a 20-year-old tree surgeon in 2011.
Fans of the show may remember her 20-stone pink dress which was adorned with butterflies and fairy lights, which she illuminated for her first dance.
She had known her traveller boyfriend since childhood and described him as her ‘best mate’ growing up.
But Pat faced some criticism at the time for choosing not to wed a girl from the travelling community.
Sam was seen shopping for caravans on the show and revealed she was giving up the life she was familiar with to live with Pat and immerse herself in his culture.
Shortly after starring on the TV show, the pair were seen making their red carpet debut at the BAFTA TV Awards nominees party.
Donning bold and colourful outfits, the couple rubbed shoulders with famous names in the realm of TV such as Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger.
After Sam and Pat wed, she shortly announced that they were expecting their first child and was pregnant when she attended the event, draping her bump in a blue and purple maxi dress.
She revealed she had already been in touch with dressmaker Thelma Madine – who designed her over-the-top flamboyant, 20-stone light-up wedding gown – about making a christening outfit for the baby.
‘I do want a big Christening,’ she said at the time. ‘I have already asked Thelma to make the dress if it is a girl. If it is a boy, I will get her to make a suit.’
And she also planned to dress for the occasion too. ‘I will probably get a different version of my dress so it might have lights or something,’ she revealed. ‘It is going to look great.’
Six months after the couple tied the knot, they spoke to the Mirror about life as traveller newlyweds.
Shortly after starring on the TV show, the pair were seen making their red carpet debut at the BAFTA TV Awards nominees party in 2011
Speaking about adjusting to her new life in a caravan, Sam said: ‘I enjoy it more here than I did being in a house. If you are not well, somebody will come in and see if you are all right, and they will wash up for you and clean.
‘If you were in a house, your neighbours wouldn’t come in and do that for you, would they? Here they will shop and take care of you – just like your mum would.’
Sam had quit her job as a barmaid and since became a homemaker, cleaning the floors of their home up to seven times a day to ensure it is spotless.
She added: ‘The lads have got a lot of respect for you. Once you are married they don’t even like to come into the trailers. If some of the lads come to speak to Pat, they will stand in the doorway, even if they chat for a long time they won’t come in.
Even nights out to the pub are different, adding that the men and women will often drink in different boozers and sit separately if they are in the same one.
Sam said that she still remains a non-traveller, adding ‘I won’t change myself for anybody’.
Since her time on the show, she has released a book called Gypsy Bride: One Girl’s True Story of Falling in Love with a Gypsy Boy.
Jim & Chantelle Kielly
Chantelle Kielly, then 18, from Rathkeale, Ireland, married her first cousin Jim on an episode of the series, and invited the whole town to watch their union in 2012.
Reflecting on Chantelle’s wedding, dressmaker Thelma Madine, claimed at the time that the ‘Rathkeale travellers’ are ‘all family and I think that’s how they keep the wealth in Rathkeale because they just don’t let it go out’.
For his big day, the groom went all out by adding 73 best men to his wedding party, while the bride had at least seven bridesmaids.
Chantelle wore a dress designed by traveller favourite Thelma, which was adorned with no less than 20,000 crystals.
The couple celebrated their nuptials with a huge party which the whole town was invited to, with the groom saying his number of best men was ‘average’
Chantelle Kielly, then 18, who lives in Rathkeale, South West Ireland, married her first cousin Jim on an episode of the series in 2012, and invited the whole town to watch their union
Traditionally, travelling families spend ten months on the road before returning home each December for wedding season.
The winter months can see as many as ten ceremonies each week take place between those in the community.
For Chantelle and Jim, the bride’s family were able to secure the engagement by paying his family a dowry, which can range between €50k- €120k.
The couple celebrated their nuptials with a huge party to which the whole town was invited.
At the reception, the couple were joined by guests on the dance floor before they celebrated by cutting into a bespoke Barbie cake.
However, not much is known about the couple since they appearance on the show.
Jolene & Michael Doran
Jolene (centre) on her wedding day with four of her 11 bridesmaids, who were dressed in hot pink 17th century style dresses accessorised with top hats
Jolene and Michael Doran’s wedding in November 2009 was no less spectacular.
After the ceremony with family at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, the newlyweds made their way to the reception – by helicopter. Jolene, however, was more scared than she was joyful.
So extravagant was the wedding that Jolene’s 11 bridesmaids arrived in a 25ft stretch Humvee.
The bride’s huge white dress was rivalled only by her bridesmaids’ hot pink 17th century style dresses accessorised with top hats.
Eager not to be outdone, Jolene demanded that her bridesmaids remove some of the underskirts from their dresses so that hers would make the biggest impact.
Jolene and Michael appear to have kept a low profile since My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding wrapped.
Bridget Rooney & Patrick
Bridget Rooney and Patrick (pictured) married in Lincoln in 2009, having got engaged when the bride was just 16 and the groom 18
Bridget Rooney got engaged to Patrick, then 18, on her 16th birthday and the pair married in Lincoln in 2009.
Like other women in the Traveller community, she was set on having an enormous and elaborate dress.
‘If I had a small one, it wouldn’t be special to me, it wouldn’t be different,’ she said.
Bridget’s huge dress was probably heavier than she was and baby-faced Patrick looked overwhelmed throughout.
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