Janet Street Porter Opens Up About Secret Wedding Fears on Loose Women
In a candid revelation on Tuesday's episode of Loose Women, Janet Street Porter disclosed the deeply personal reasons behind her decision to keep her recent wedding a closely guarded secret. The 79-year-old panelist, who has famously been married four times previously, admitted to being overwhelmed with anxiety in the lead-up to her fifth marriage to long-term partner Peter Stanton.
Overcoming Past Marital Mistakes
Janet described herself as being 'a complete state' and 'shaking' on the eve of the ceremony, largely due to the emotional baggage from her previous unions. She reflected on her fourth marriage, which she characterised as a 'really, really bad mistake' that had negative repercussions for both herself and her friends. 'It was a horrible, horrible, stupid mistake, and I didn't want to do that again,' she confessed, highlighting her determination to avoid repeating past errors.
Considerations for Her Partner's First Marriage
Adding to her nervousness was the fact that this marked Peter Stanton's first experience with marriage. Janet expressed a strong desire to ensure the occasion was special for him, stating, 'I didn't want to do anything embarrassing that I would regret. I didn't want to make fun of Peter. I wanted it to be lovely for him, because he hasn't been married before. He's managed to avoid it.' This consideration underscored her commitment to making their union a positive and memorable event.
Practical Details of the Low-Key Ceremony
The wedding was intentionally kept low-key, with only a small group of friends involved. Two nearby friends served as witnesses, joined by two others at the last minute. Janet recounted the simplicity of the registry office setting, noting the empty car park and a large room with chairs for up to 100 people, though the ceremony itself was over in just ten minutes. She also mentioned the emotional challenge of having to use her last married name from a previous relationship, which still upsets her, though this detail went unnoticed during the proceedings.
Announcement and Reflections on Past Relationships
Janet first shared the news of her marriage on the previous Monday's episode of Loose Women, declaring via video link, 'Peter and me got married on Saturday. So there you are. I finally did it. I saved the best till last.' The couple, who have been romantically linked since 1999, are now 'absolutely thrilled' to have formalised their relationship after more than two decades together.
Reflecting on her extensive marital history, Janet's previous marriages include:
- Tim Street-Porter (1967-1975)
- Tony Elliot (1975-1977)
- Frank Cvitanovich (1979-1981)
- David Sorkin (1997-1999)
In past interviews, she has humorously noted her understanding of men's minds, attributing it to her numerous serious relationships. Janet, who does not have children, has also written about embracing life without motherhood, stating there is no stigma in not having children and that she does not miss it, preferring the company of 'smart men' over other responsibilities.
