Congrats! Big Brother star Brian Dowling ties the knot
Former Big Brother host Brian Dowling is to wed to dancer Arthur Gourounlian in a symbolic ceremony in the Republic of Ireland today.
The Big Brother contestant-turned-presenter rose to fame when he won the second Big Brother in 2001 – before returning as a presenter when the show moved to Channel 5.
Mr Dowling has headed to Ireland to marry his partner Arthur Gourounlian, in an extravagant ceremony at a country house just outside of Dublin today.
Dowling and his partner have already held a small marriage ceremony in London – but decided to hold a second ceremony in Ireland following the marriage referendum.
Legal same-sex weddings are not set to begin in Ireland until the end of the year at the earliest – and could be delayed further by legal action.
However, as the pair have already been legally married in London, their ceremony is thought to be mostly symbolic.
With BB co-star, Narinder Kaur, as one of Dowling’s bridesmaids – the event is expected to be graced by celebrities such as X Factor’s Louis Walsh, Girls Aloud star Kimberly Walsh, Vernon Kay and Tess Daly.
The couple have taken to social media to keep the public updated – with Dowling posting pictures of himself and his bridesmaids getting pampered and prepped for the big day.
Before the marriage referendum was passed the couple posted a heartfelt message on social media urging people to vote yes: “To everyone in Ireland tomorrow please VOTE YES and make history.Let all of us have the chance to have a husband or wife. Love is beautiful @gourounlian #love #equality #weareallthesame #gay #marriage #husband #family #history”
The host told the Sun: “We wanted to make sure we got it right. All my friends and family are coming.”
He has previously been using social media to document his pre-nuptial slim down having allegedly dropped three stone before the big ceremony this afternoon.
The TV host added: “Our suits are by Tom Ford, but I must say they are tight fitted. Especially at the back.”
