In a bizarre dry run wedding for the benefit of the national lottery, Cole and his new bride, Girls Aloud’s Cheryl Tweedy, were made to look like Lenny Henry’s Theophilus P Wildebeeste and Geri Halliwell’s dimmer cousin. Still, they didn’t lose out financially and OK! (or was it Hello!) paid for it all.

2 Kaka

The Milan and Brazil midfielder, a keen Christian, proudly announced he was a virgin when he married Caroline Celico on December 23, 2005, in São Paulo. A good thing, since they met when the daughter of the boss of Dior’s Brazilian operation was at school. Teammates and Brazil’s coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, laughed.

3 David Beckham

Independence Day 1999 and Beckham, Victoria Adams, the world’s media and best man Gary Neville were joined together at Luttrellstown Castle near Dublin. The reception cost £500,000 but OK! (or was it Hello!) paid for it, even after being trumped by The Sun.

4 Ronaldo

Multi-millionaire romantic Ronaldo had paid £500,000 to marry model Daniella Cicarelli at the 17th-century Chantilly Chateau on Valentine’s Day 2005, only to be refused permission the week before by the local council because the couple hadn’t given three months’ notice or publicised their banns. “But they can have an engagement party,” added an official.

5 Mehdi Mahdavikia

The SV Hamburg defender wed Sepideh in 1998 before “marrying” Samira last year without getting divorced. The other Hamburg wives told Samira: “We know Mrs Mahdavikia, and you are not her.” She was then dumped for the heroically forgiving Sepideh.

6 Djibril Cisse

Somewhat eclipsing his bride, 30-year-old Anglesey hairdresser and mother of one Jude Littler, the groom, 23, wore a bright red suit and trilby when they tied the knot at Bodelwyddan Castle. Cisse also bought Ridge Manor House and the titles Lord and Lady of the Manor of Frodsham.

7 Billy Wright

The 1958 Poole Registry Office marriage of Wright — the David Beckham of his day — to Joy Beverley of The Beverley Sisters, the Spice Girls of their day — was the first celebrity footballer wedding. Next day, the groom returned to pre-season training with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

8 Franz Beckenbauer

Beckenbauer, 60, recently married his long-term partner Heidi Burmester, 39, in an Austrian Alpine village. The date coincided with the 93rd birthday of his mother Antonie, who had died in January.

9 George Best

Both bride (Angela Macdonald Janes) and groom were hungover when they flew to Las Vegas’s Candlelight Chapel to marry in 1978. They then promptly flew back to their Los Angeles home and Best went on a two-day bender.

10 Michael Owen

Owen and childhood sweetheart Louise Bonsall wanted to wed at their £2m, Grade II-listed Flintshire mansion, Lower Soughton Hall, until it was pointed out to them that if a licence was granted for a marriage, the venue must be made available for other weddings for three years.

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