Coronation Street fans break down in tears at Paul and Billy’s wedding
CORONATION Street fans broke down in tears tonight at Paul and Billy’s wedding.
The ITV soap featured its first gay wedding tonight as the couple tied the knot – not once, but twice.
Billy and Paul held an intimate civil ceremony at the Bistro, as the Church of England still does not allow same-sex marriages.
Paul – who is battling Motor Neurone Disease – knew how upsetting that rule was for vicar Billy, and came up with a way to make his dreams come true.
After exchanging vows at the Bistro and cutting the cake, Paul surprised his new husband by revealing one of his vicar pals had agreed to come and conduct a secret church ceremony for them at one of Billy’s churches.
Billy was thrilled, and after walking down the aisle of the church with Summer, tears spilled from his eyes as he told Paul “I’m home”.
As they exchanged rings, Gemma and Bernie took video and pictures, while Summer snapped a shot on a polaroid camera, before the happy couple returned to the Bistro to finish their reception, tearfully holding each other during their first dance.
The whole day was “perfect” according to Billy, but both men had referenced in their speeches how they were unsure how much time they would have due to Paul’s worsening condition.
The scenes left many Coronation Street viewers in tears, with one writing on X: “Really happy for Paul aka Apollo!”
Another added: “I’m not crying. You’re crying.”
A third tweeted: “Billy and Paul are making me cry”, with crying emojis.
Although some fans found themselves distracted by the happy couple’s wedding singers.
“If I ever get married I don’t want them two singing. Please and thank you,” one wrote.
“absolutely hilarious the woman singing YMCA at a snails pace,” chimed a third.
“Just twigged that girl’s singing YMCA I’m howling,” another added.
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.