Victoria Cross war hero Sergeant Johnson Beharry has married his bride Venice Mallissa Noel in a beautiful ceremony featured exclusively in HELLO! magazine. The couple have also revealed that they are expecting their first child. The pair were married at London's Old Marylebone Hotel in front of close family and friends, before moving onto a blessing at the Montague on the Gardens Hotel in Bloomsbury, where invited guests such as Johnson's 2011 Dancing on Ice partner Jodeyne Higgins toasted with De Watere champagne.
Both newlyweds also received letters of congratulations from the Queen and the Prince of Wales. Johnson was awarded the VC in 2005 for twice risking his life to save comrades from his unit in the 1st Battilion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, in two separate enemy attacks in Iraq. Johnson, whose wife prefers to be called by her middle name, Mallissa, revealed that he was nervous before his wedding. "I was shaking waiting for Mallissa but when I saw her I felt calmer," he said. "I tried to make her laugh, more to ease my nerves than anything, but she wasn't having it. "When I saw her, my expression stayed composed, but inside my heart was swelling with love and pride. She looked beautiful." He also told HELLO! of his excitement about becoming a father. "It's a little sooner than planned, but we are over the moon," he said. "Mallissa and I felt strongly that it was important to marry before our baby arrives. I didn't grow up with a mum and dad who were together and all my life I've said I don't want my child to say the same and that I want them to know they've got that solid foundation. "It has been something of a whirlwind romance for the couple, who first met last October. "From the moment I met Mallissa, I didn't want to be apart from her," Johnson said. "It's like we've known each other forever and I'm excited about this new chapter in our lives. We have so much to celebrate." To read more about the wedding ceremony, including details of the speeches, a surprise performance by the Military Wives Choir, the delicious wedding cake and what song the couple chose as their first dance, pick up the latest copy of HELLO! magazine. READ THE FULL EXCLUSIVE STORY IN HELLO! MAGAZINE, OUT NOW.
