Jack Whitehall’s “Downton Abbey meets EastEnders” Wedding Vision and BRITs Anticipation
Renowned comedian and actor Jack Whitehall, 37, is gearing up for a significant personal milestone: his upcoming wedding to model Roxy Horner, 34. The couple, who have been together since 2020 and welcomed their first child in September 2023, announced their engagement in 2024. As the big day approaches, Whitehall has offered a unique and humorous perspective on the nuptials, describing the anticipated union as a blend of high society drama and working-class grit.
Appearing on a recent episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, Whitehall expressed his profound excitement for the wedding. He highlighted that it will mark the first time his and Roxy’s families will come together. “I’m very excited – it’s going to be great,” he shared. “It’s the first time our families are ever coming together.”
Whitehall elaborated on the distinct backgrounds of his and Roxy’s families, painting a vivid picture of the cultural juxtaposition. “I’ve met her family, but my family have not met her family,” he explained. “My family, and it will come as no surprise to you, are a bunch of gilet-wearing chinless toffs and her family are proper Cockney, all West Ham fans, proper salt of the earth.”
He further underscored this contrast by referencing fellow guest Danny Dyer, a prominent figure associated with the East End and the BBC soap opera EastEnders. “Her uncle Gary makes Danny look like Jacob Rees-Mogg,” Whitehall quipped, suggesting an even more pronounced “Cockney” element within Roxy’s extended family. The comedian concluded his description with the memorable analogy: “It’s going to be a mash-up of Downton Abbey and EastEnders.”
Hosting the BRITs: A Sixth Time and Star-Studded Line-Up
Beyond his personal celebrations, Whitehall is also preparing to take the stage once again as the host of The BRIT Awards. This upcoming ceremony will mark his sixth time presenting the prestigious music event, a testament to his enduring popularity and skill as a host.
Whitehall’s anticipation for the BRITs is palpable, particularly concerning the confirmed performances. He revealed his personal excitement about the line-up, stating, “Personally I’m so excited – Harry Styles back at the BRITs.” He specifically mentioned Styles’ planned performance of his song “Aperture” as a highlight to look forward to.
Adding another layer of amusement to his pre-BRITs preparations, Whitehall teased his mother Hillary’s audacious fashion plans for the star-studded evening. He recounted an instance where his mother was browsing online and expressed her intention to emulate a daring look worn by artist Chappell Roan at the Grammys.
“She’s threatening to,” Whitehall admitted. “I did actually see her the other day. She was over to babysit my daughter and I looked over her shoulder and she was on Amazon and she was scrolling and trying to purchase this see-through breast plate.”
An Awkward Encounter in the Maldives
In a separate anecdote shared on the show, Whitehall recounted a recent, rather awkward celebrity encounter during a holiday in the Maldives. Known for his observational humour, which often touches upon public figures, he admitted to a constant underlying worry about bumping into people he has previously joked about.
While enjoying a dinner with Roxy, Whitehall’s heart sank when he spotted none other than singer Craig David entering the same restaurant. “I was like, ‘No, I’ve said so many jokes about him. This is so awkward,'” he recalled.
The situation escalated as David began walking towards their table. Whitehall’s immediate reaction was to signal Roxy to discreetly lower her head. However, David approached their table and initiated a conversation, addressing Roxy directly. “He was like, ‘Hey Roxy, so good to see you. How are you?’” Whitehall recounted.
Roxy engaged in a brief chat with David, who, to Whitehall’s chagrin, completely ignored him. “She went, ‘Oh yeah, me and Craig, we used to hang out back in the day,’” Whitehall revealed, explaining that Roxy had a past connection with the singer that he was unaware of. The comedian was left feeling rather insignificant during the encounter.
The Jonathan Ross Show airs Saturdays at 9:25 pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
