Sharleen’s fiance asks her girl age 14: Can I marry your mum?
IT is one of the most honoured traditions in a marriage proposal: asking permission from the father of the bride-to-be.
But for Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, 49, lead vocalist of one of Scotland’s most successful bands, there was another family member who needed to give the go-ahead.
Celebrity chef Bryn Williams, 39, also sought approval from Miss Spiteri’s 14-year-old daughter Misty Kyd before asking for the star’s hand.
Miss Spiteri said: ‘Bryn proposed four weeks ago. It was a bit of a surprise. We were all together; my mum, dad and sister were with us and Bryn asked my dad for permission. He also asked Misty for permission. He is a gentleman and he is a good, kind man.’
The couple, who share a home in London, are set to tie the knot next year. Despite having been together for more than a decade, Miss Spiteri said getting married had never been discussed.
She added: ‘It wasn’t a case that we were waiting until the right time. We have just been very happy to be together. I was shocked when Bryn asked me. I was like, “Wow”, I had no idea it was coming.’
The biggest surprise, according to the star, was that her father, Eddie, a former merchant seaman, kept Williams’s plans to propose a secret.
She said: ‘It was lovely. Having asked my dad at Christmas, unbeknown to me, the biggest surprise was that it had stayed a secret for so long. My dad hadn’t even told my mum. It was rather funny when it all came out.’
Texas, who have sold 35 million records, have released a new single, Let’s Work It Out, and the latest album, Jump On Board, is due next month.
They play three nights at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Bandstand in July.
Miss Spiteri has ruled out an extravagant wedding, adding: ‘As long as all my friends and family are there, that’s all that matters.’