Kirstie Allsopp, host of Location, Location, Location, opened up about her secret wedding to her long-term partner as she nears the first anniversary of their special day

This time last year Kirstie Allsopp was gearing up for her low-key wedding to Ben Andersen, her partner of 21 years. The couple exchanged vows in January 2024 at a private ceremony in Mayfair’s Grosvenor Chapel, London, a venue that holds special significance for Kirstie.

Until their wedding day, the Location, Location, Location host described herself as “happily unmarried” to the property magnate she’s been with since 2004. This came after Ben informed Kirstie that he had no desire to wed again, having previously been married to one of her schoolmates.

After changing his mind, the duo organised their wedding at lightning speed, with Kirstie purchasing her gown a mere fortnight before the ceremony.

On their special day, the couple’s two sons and Ben’s elder children from his previous marriage served as ushers.

The guest list also featured Kirstie’s sisters Sofie Fletcher and Natasha Morley, her cousin Jamie Allsopp, a former hedge fund executive, and designer India Hicks.

Kirstie Allsopp with her sons (Image: GETTY)

Noticeably missing from proceedings however was Kirstie’s long-time presenting partner Phil Spencer, who was reportedly unable to accommodate the date at short notice.

Discussing the secrecy of her big day with Yours Magazine, Kirstie revealed: “I think we told the children about the wedding on Christmas Day. Mostly, though, nobody knew until the Monday and then we got married on the Thursday.

“I’ve got strong views on weddings and, in the end, it turns out it was me who wasn’t so wild about it!,” she added.

“But it was four o’clock so nobody had to take the time off work or worry about outfits, they just wore what they had.”

Kirstie Allsopp’s long-term co-star Phil Spencer wasn’t at the wedding (Image: Channel4)

The 54-year-old revealed that she also bypassed the tradition of having a hen do before the nuptials. “There was no hen night, or any of that, and it was fabulous,” she added.

Kirstie selected the Mayfair venue as it holds a sentimental value, being the very spot where her parents and grandparents had tied the knot.

According to reports, the low-key ceremony ran for approximately 40 minutes and featured a handpicked musical selection, including The Beatles’ timeless classic All You Need Is Love.

While Kirstie hasn’t fully disclosed her reasons for the secret and swift wedding, she has previously confessed she didn’t want “the attention of being a bride”.

She explained: “I’m not a fan of the staggering, never-ending self-absorption of ‘my big day’. Have you noticed how rarely you hear ‘our big day’?”.

Though the ceremony was meant to remain private, Kirstie subsequently posted a photograph from the occasion on Instagram after discovering paparazzi lurking outside.

In her caption accompanying the snap, she penned: “I share a great deal on here and so appreciate all the kind and interesting comments, but I felt our wedding should be private, and luckily on the day it was. Unfortunately it turned out that there was an unseen pap, so I have released a couple of our own pictures.

“The upside is that at least I get a chance to thank publicly some of the lovely people who worked so hard, at such short notice, to make our wedding pretty special.”