Anthea Turner Opens Up: Why Marriage to Millionaire Fiancé is Off the Cards and a Look Back at “Flake Gate”
Anthea Turner, the beloved British television presenter, has recently shared some candid insights into her personal life, including why her upcoming nuptials to millionaire fiancé Mark Armstrong are taking a decidedly low-key approach. Speaking on Vanessa Feltz’s Channel 5 show, the 65-year-old reflected on her past, particularly her infamous “Flake Gate” wedding, and revealed a shift in her perspective on grand ceremonies.
Turner became engaged to businessman Mark Armstrong in September 2019, following a whirlwind two-month romance. However, the prospect of a lavish wedding is no longer on the agenda. Instead, Anthea now favours a more intimate celebration, noting that big, ostentatious weddings are increasingly falling out of favour.
The Shadow of “Flake Gate”
This new approach stands in stark contrast to her previous marriage to property developer Grant Bovey. Their 2000 ceremony was a grand affair, but it quickly became overshadowed by controversy. The couple’s decision to pose for photographs while eating Cadbury’s Snowflake bars as part of a promotional tie-in sparked significant backlash, earning the event the memorable moniker “Flake Gate.”
Reflecting on that extravagant day during a discussion about the value of expensive weddings, Anthea admitted to feeling out of her depth. “It was so extravagant, really when I think back now, I do remember thinking ‘this is not me, I don’t really want it to be so big, this was nowhere near what I wanted’,” she confessed. She explained how she felt “bamboozled into the whole thing,” with the plans escalating beyond her comfort zone. The chocolate bar incident, she recalled, felt like the final, defining moment of an event that had spiralled out of control.
Anthea believes that societal attitudes towards grand displays have shifted. “But I also think the tanker has turned around with these big flash weddings that we don’t think ‘oh how amazing now’,” she observed. “It’s like when people have big flash cars, it’s like, people with flashiness is actually going out.” This sentiment suggests a growing preference for authenticity and substance over outward showmanship.
A Second Chance at Love and Family
The presenter’s reflections come at a time when she’s openly expressed immense happiness with her fiancé, Mark Armstrong. She’s spoken of being “given a second chance at love” after two previous marriages. Her personal life has also expanded with the joy of becoming a grandmother, as her stepdaughter recently welcomed a baby.
Anthea’s romantic history includes a marriage to Radio 1 DJ Peter Powell, whom she left in 1998 to be with Grant Bovey. Her union with Bovey lasted 15 years, from 2000 to 2015. Despite the past, Anthea has previously indicated that she and Mark were planning to tie the knot “next year” and that she still holds a positive outlook on marriage.
Speaking about her current relationship, she stated, “I’m a woman who got a second chance at love and family life and I’m loving it.” When questioned whether relationships in one’s sixties are primarily about companionship rather than passionate romance, Anthea firmly disagreed. “Oh God, no, that’s not how it works for me,” she asserted. She elaborated in an interview with The Sunday Times, suggesting that while desire might naturally wane during menopause, it doesn’t signify an end. “I’m a fully paid-up member of the HRT club and there’s nothing like a nice new relationship for igniting everything again,” she revealed, highlighting the revitalising power of love.
Embracing Grandparenting and Past Controversies
Anthea remains on good terms with Grant Bovey’s children, and it was through this connection that she recently embraced her new role as a grandmother. “I’m Granny Anth!” she exclaimed with delight, expressing her overwhelming happiness.
However, Anthea has also openly addressed the difficult period in her life when she was labelled a “homewrecker” following her relationship with Grant Bovey. At the time of their romance, Bovey was married with three young children. He subsequently left his wife, Della, and their daughters, who were then aged two, four, and seven. The public fallout was intense, resembling a real-life soap opera, and for those involved, it was a profoundly painful experience.
Looking back on that chapter in an interview with The Telegraph in October, Anthea acknowledged her role. “I owned up to it, because when people split up and say, ‘There’s nobody else involved’, you know damn well there is,” she stated. She explained that she had a solicitor friend issue a statement to preempt intrusive media attention. “I look back on it all now, it was a series of unfortunate events,” she concluded, reflecting a sense of acceptance and resolution.
Anthea and Grant Bovey’s marriage eventually ended after 15 years. They initially separated in 2012, had a brief reconciliation, and then parted ways for good in 2013. Their divorce was finalised in 2015, citing Grant’s adultery. This discovery of his affair with interior designer Zoe de Mallet Morgan came less than a year after Anthea had seemingly forgiven him for a previous indiscretion. The experiences, while painful, have clearly shaped Anthea’s current perspective on love, relationships, and the importance of authenticity.
