We’ll wed again & both wear dresses

come home and find all her things on a bonfire. But I knew she wasn’t gone. Little things would creep in – an ankle chain, nail varnish, new clothes.

“I said at one point you need to stop living a double life, be one or the other. But actually don’t be the other because I know you wouldn’t be happy.”

Lucy said: “I always had periods of denial, not because I didn’t want it but I thought of the implications.”

In the end, it was Avril’s constant support that helped give Lucy the courage to be herself. And that process will continue in the weeks and months ahead as she undergoes surgery.

Avril said: “It’s such a long process and in the end we went private for the hormones. She’s got growth in places she’s had to hide. She had to squeeze her chest down.

“I just want to live our life as Avril and Lucy. We can deal with haters. It’s all coming together. She’s hidden in football for years but it saved her.”

Lucy and Avril say they are as close as ever. Avril added: “I fancied her as him and I fancy her as her. If you really love somebody does the outside matter? We’re really together.

“We’re in love and that doesn’t change. You just find different ways of being intimate.”

The couple are now looking forward to 2020 – when they will renew their vows after Lucy has undergone gender reassingment surgery.

“We got married on 10.10.10 in Bodrum. We’re renewing our vows in 10-10-20 when Lucy has gone through the full transition.

“I felt bad on our wedding day wearing a dress as I know that’s what Lucy wanted. She was in shorts and T-shirt.

“But she’s going to outdo me at the next wedding.”

While Avril allowed Lucy to grow into the person she always has been, Lucy has done the same for her wife.

“Being with her has enabled me to be me,” she said. “When you become a wife and a mum, you lose sight of who you are. But now, I’m getting pink and purple in my hair.

“She buys stuff and I go, ‘Oooh’. I bought her a playsuit for her and then went out and bought myself it.

“We went out in the same outfit. She’s got all the expensive make-up. I’ve had years of playing with make-up and now it’s her time.

“She’s my best friend as well as being my wife. I love her so much.”