Brighton couple to feature in BBC One same-sex marriage documentary

Dan Mackey and Adam Johnson married in October with the help of a few famous faces including singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse and comic Tom Allen.

Their dream ceremony will be shown on TV to mark ten years since same-sex marriages were made legal in 2014.

Dan, left, Adam, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and their pug, Egg (Image: Dan Mackey)

Dan, 36, said: “I’m lucky to be close to my family so being able to stand in front of them with Adam and get married was a proud moment. Especially when so many people around the world still can’t do this legally or have to distance themselves from family to live authentically.

MOST READ:

• Dozens of drivers slapped with bus lane fines... despite roadworks forcing them there

• Plans for village to have its first pub in seven years

• Fashion store opens second branch in The Lanes

​To have access to all of our best stories subscribe to The Argus here

“We got to create a safe queer bubble with the people we are closest to. It made me understand why weddings are magic moments where everyone feels loved up.”

Adam, 39, added: “When we said our vows with our family and friends in such a public way it filled my soul with profound pride. It makes me hopeful for all queer people and shows that love always wins.”

Dan, right, and Adam at their wedding (Image: Dan Mackey)

Dan and Adam, who live near Preston Park, Brighton, met in 2009 through a mutual friend and had been engaged for eight years.

Dan, a potter who competed in TV's The Great Pottery Throwdown, said the couple “love being creative and getting stuck in” and designed a lot of the personal touches for their wedding themselves.

They were were married in a lavish, colourful ceremony at Trading Boundaries in Fletching, near Haywards Heath, in October.

Dan, left, Tom Allen, centre, Adam, right, and pug Egg (Image: Dan Mackey)

They said they had both dreamed of living Brighton as children and loved being in the city.

Dan and Adam spoke about their experience of coming out to their families when they were 18 and 22 respectively and how society has changed in their lifetimes.

Graphic designer Adam said: “Growing up in a small town where the government spread messages of fear and division was horrible.

“Section 28 [a law which banned the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities and schools which was repealed in 2003] and its effects terrified me as a child and made me scared of being myself.

“Repressing a part of yourself means your friends and family don’t get to meet the real you until you "come out" and for me that was when I was 22 - 22 years not feeling like you can be totally yourself within the society you live in is not something I would wish upon anyone.

“To be able to finally be myself, love Dan and join our families by marriage surrounded by open hearts has been something that for a long time felt impossible.”

The couple’s wedding will feature in Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen and featuring Sophie and Oti on BBC One on Wednesday at 9pm.