Anthea Turner Opens Up About Wedding Plans and Past Extravagance
Television personality Anthea Turner has candidly discussed the reasons behind her delayed marriage to millionaire fiancé Mark Armstrong, while reflecting on her notorious 'Flake Gate' wedding scandal from over two decades ago. The 65-year-old presenter made these revelations during a recent appearance on Vanessa Feltz's Channel 5 programme, sparking renewed interest in her personal life and evolving views on matrimony.
A Whirlwind Romance and Changing Wedding Trends
Turner became engaged to businessman Mark Armstrong in September 2019 following a whirlwind two-month courtship, yet the couple has not yet proceeded to marriage. During her television interview, the former GMTV host explained that she now favours a more intimate ceremony, suggesting that grandiose 'flash' weddings are increasingly falling out of fashion. "I think the tanker has turned around with these big flash weddings," Turner remarked. "We don't think 'oh how amazing now'—it's like when people have big flash cars. People with flashiness is actually going out."
The Infamous 'Flake Gate' Wedding Controversy
The conversation naturally turned to Turner's previous marriage to property developer Grant Bovey, which began with a lavish ceremony in 2000 that became infamous for its commercial tie-in with Cadbury's Snowflake chocolate bars. The couple faced significant public backlash after posing with the confectionery during their wedding, creating what media outlets dubbed 'Flake Gate.' Reflecting on that extravagant day, Turner confessed, "It was so extravagant, really when I think back now, I do remember thinking 'this is not me, I don't really want it to be so big, this was nowhere near what I wanted.'"
She elaborated on how the event spiralled beyond her control: "I sort of got bamboozled into the whole thing, and it got bigger and bigger and bigger, and then of course, a chocolate bar was stuffed in my face, and then that was the end of everything." This candid admission provides insight into why Turner now prefers simplicity over spectacle when it comes to matrimonial celebrations.
Second Chance at Love and Family Life
Despite two previous failed marriages—first to Radio 1 DJ Peter Powell, whom she left in 1998 for Bovey, and then to Bovey himself from 2000 to 2015—Turner remains optimistic about marriage. She has sweetly described her relationship with Armstrong as a "second chance at love" and has embraced her role as a grandmother after her stepdaughter recently welcomed a baby. "I'm Granny Anth! I couldn't be happier," she gushed during a previous interview.
Turner has indicated that she and Armstrong plan to marry next year, maintaining a positive outlook on matrimony despite past disappointments. "I'm a woman who got a second chance at love and family life and I'm loving it," she stated. When questioned whether relationships in one's sixties focus more on companionship than passion, Turner firmly disagreed, saying, "Oh God, no, that's not how it works for me."
Reflections on Past Controversies and Moving Forward
The interview also touched upon Turner's past as a so-called 'homewrecker' when she left Powell for Bovey, who was then married with three young children. Reflecting on that tumultuous period, Turner told The Telegraph in October, "I owned up to it, because when people split up and say, 'There's nobody else involved', you know damn well there is." She described the situation as "a series of unfortunate events" that caused deep pain for all involved.
Turner's marriage to Bovey ultimately ended in 2015 on grounds of his adultery, after she discovered he was having an affair with interior designer Zoe de Mallet Morgan—less than a year after forgiving him for another indiscretion. Despite these challenges, Turner maintains close relationships with her ex-husband's children and continues to rebuild her personal life with Armstrong.
As wedding trends evolve and personal priorities shift, Anthea Turner's journey from extravagant ceremonies to preferring intimate celebrations reflects broader cultural changes. Her story serves as a reminder that second chances at love are possible, even after public scandals and personal heartbreaks.
