When Tony and Lyn Parsbey were married at Ramsgate Register Office in 1990, they had no idea that 17 years later they would be renewing their vows with an audience of 7.7 million people. 

But that’s what happened thanks to Tony, who organised a surprise Kentish Renewal of Vows ceremony as part of GMTV’s live Valentine’s Day coverage.

The early morning celebrations began when a shocked Lyn opened her door to GMTV’s Entertainment Today presenter Jenni Falconer who whisked Lyn straight to St. Augustine’s in Westgate-on-Sea to join husband Tony for her makeover and ceremony. 

Family and friends joined the couple as they made their Renewal of Vows to each other in an emotional ceremony conducted by KCC Celebrant Sarah McAnaspie.

“I had one of the best days of my life and haven’t come down from cloud nine yet,” said Lyn. “I was so nervous knowing how many people were watching - but when I got into the room and saw Tony, our family and friends, I enjoyed every second of it. The ceremony was fantastic and I had a lump in my throat when I said my vows.” 

“I’d like to thank our friends and family for making it possible, including our son and best man Brett, Sharon Gilchrist and Bella Woodward who couldn’t attend as she was dog sitting our puppy Molly.”

“We had a very small ceremony when we were married,” added Tony.  

“So for our Renewal of Vows I wanted Lynn to have everything – including a TV crew and a national TV audience!”

KCC Celebrant Sarah McAnaspie, who wrote and conducted the ceremony, said: 

“I wasn’t too nervous about conducting the ceremony because it was difficult to imagine so many people watching.”

“But it was a lovely ceremony and soon afterwards my brother, who works in an electrical shop, sent me a text message saying he and his colleagues had put the ceremony on every TV for sale in the shop! It was then that it started to sink in.”

Below: The happy couple with GMTV's Jenni Falconer (centre) and KCC's Sarah McAnaspie (back).