Emmerdale actor Bradley Riches had a very starry guestlist in place to watch him marry his new husband, Scott Johnston.

Bradley Riches and his new husband Scott Johnston are both glowing as they chat exclusively to OK! about their emotional wedding and a love story that survived both lockdown and a chaotic Aperol-fuelled proposal during a holiday in Italy.

Fresh from their wedding celebrations at Lillibrooke Manor & Barns in Maidenhead, Berkshire, it’s clear the couple – both 24 and now known as Mr & Mr Johnston-Riches – are still very much in the newlywed bubble.

“Are you ready for all the details?” Emmerdale star Bradley says, glancing at Scott and laughing as they share the full story behind their big day. “Because there’s a lot.”

The couple met at drama school in 2020 and their journey from being students at Emil Dale Academy, part of the University of Bedfordshire, to walking down the aisle has been anything but ordinary. Their love story didn’t begin with a grand romantic gesture. Bradley explains, “We lived next door to each other, started off as friends and never really looked back.”

While they had a solid friendship, their relationship was shaped early on by the uncertainty of COVID-19, which brought them closer together. “It was one of those weird lockdown phases,” Scott recalls. “Restrictions were still there so we’d have to meet outside and go on lots of walks. We really got to know each other.’

When meeting up with others was permitted, they were able to go on a real date, which brought a welcome dose of normality. “It was in Brighton, on Scott’s birthday,” Bradley says with a smile. “Pizza Express, very glamorous. We didn’t officially live together at first but from that date, we basically didn’t spend a night apart.”

From that moment, they both knew they’d found The One. They continued to live together in Hitchin, Hertfordshire while studying and it wasn’t long before Bradley got his first big break, playing James McEwan in Netflix series Heartstopper in 2022.

Fast-forward to 2024 and the couple’s next chapter began shortly after Bradley’s stint on ITV ’s Celebrity Big Brother, where he finished in sixth place. “We used to joke that if I won, Scott would propose,” Bradley says. “So when I didn’t, I thought, well, that’s that.”

But Scott had other plans. “I spoke to Bradley’s agent and asked them to hold everything for a few days,” he reveals. “I needed to get him away.”

Bradley chips in, “After Big Brother, I had all these interviews and TV appearances coming up, and my agent just paused them, which I thought was strange. Then Scott told me he’d booked us a holiday to Sorrento, Italy, because he thought I needed a break.”

The first hint that something was up was a wardrobe request. “He told me to wear white. I had no idea what was coming!”

But the evening didn’t go quite as Scott had imagined. “I’d booked this restaurant that looked really romantic online – candles, beach view,” he says. “But when we got there, people were jumping off the pier and eating cheesy chips!”

“We were like, this is not the vibe,” Bradley laughs. Luckily, the real magic was still to come when they returned to their villa. “I heard the Bruno Mars song Count On Me playing and something clicked,” he recalls.

As he walked inside, he found candles, a sunset over Sorrento and Scott waiting. “I just dropped to one knee and asked him to marry me.” The surprises weren’t over. “I said yes – obviously!” Bradley beams. “And then, suddenly, our best friends Emily and Holly ran out of hiding. I had no idea they were there.”

The lead-up had been chaotic, however. “The girls nearly missed it,” Scott says. “They were in town having too many Aperol Spritzes instead of getting to the villa.”

“Then they got locked out,” Bradley adds. “They had to climb over a neighbour’s balcony to get in.”

“It was a bit of a mess behind the scenes,” Scott admits. “But for Bradley, it all felt perfect.”

On returning home, the couple had an engagement party at London’s Chamberlain hotel. They decided to wait a couple of years before getting married, to give them time to plan.

“Scott did most of it,” Bradley reveals. “I love organising things, but this felt too big. I would have melted down.” “I just brought him options,” Scott says. “And he’d say yes or no.”

They found the perfect venue in September 2024, close to their then-home in High Wycombe. “It was stunning,” Bradley says. “So we booked the venue – then ended up moving across the country to Leeds when I got my role as Lewis in Emmerdale.” But both agree that the big day itself, Wednesday 8 April, was “absolutely magical”.

“The car journey down was fun, and the weather helped,” Scott adds. “It was 25 degrees. We got lucky.” Both opted to say “I do” in Marc Darcy day suits, and they had a whopping 14 bridesmaids between them. Bradley’s proud dad Julian acted as best man.

The ceremony was awash with celeb pals, including Bradley’s former Celebrity Big Brother housemates, Strictly’s Nikita Kuzmin, David Potts, ZeZe Millz, former Corrie star Colson Smith and Marisha Wallace. Kelly Osbourne, whose mum Sharon grew close to Bradley on the show, was also there.

“Many of the Emmerdale cast couldn’t make it as they were filming, sadly,” says Bradley. “The lovely Sharon was in LA because her son Jack had just welcomed baby Ozzy, but she did give me my first Claridge’s experience beforehand, which was insane. Levi Roots also sent a very generous gift, as did Lisa Riley, who was in New York.”

The couple opted for rose buttonholes for the ceremony, which they made with the help of Bradley’s co-star Katie Hill. For their first dance, they replayed Bruno Mars’ Count On Me, sung by their friend Nathan Johnston. “It turned into a full-on party,” says Bradley. “It suddenly switched up and we went full dance mode. Everyone joined in.”

Outdoor games were set up on the lawn for the reception and evening party. “We had limbo, tug-of-war and a very competitive guest in Nikita,” says Scott. “It was his first British wedding and he really got into the spirit. He took on my whole family in the tug-of-war and pulled them all over. My uncle face-planted!”

On the day there were more surprises they didn’t even plan. “We had a drag queen, Tiana Biscuit,” Bradley says. “And Suddenly, Seymour from my favourite show, Little Shop Of Horrors, started playing, and Marisha came on singing – and then did some Tina Turner numbers. I didn’t even have to pay her!”

Later, Bradley found himself on the mic – recreating a Big Brother moment. “I ended up singing Flying Without Wings with David and Colson – and Marisha stood in for Levi,” he says. “We were a bit drunk by that point, it was brilliant.”

While they agree it was the perfect day, they held another bash in Leeds a couple of weeks later, which Bradley’s Emmerdale co-stars attended. As you might expect, their honeymoon came with some last-minute drama. “We were meant to go to Turkey,” Bradley says. “But the hotel basically disappeared, we still don’t know what happened. So we had a mini-moon in Portugal. It was perfect – sun, cocktails, just time together.”

They’re now planning a bigger trip later this year. “We’re doing a Caribbean cruise in the autumn,” Scott says. “We’re very excited.”

For Bradley, who will take time out from Emmerdale to appear in Heartstopper Forever, this chapter feels different. “I’ve always been looking ahead, saying ‘What’s next, what’s next?’ But for the first time I feel settled, and with a husband who loves me, just happy where I am.”

As for what’s next, the couple are taking it a step at a time. “We definitely want kids one day,” Bradley says. “That feeling hit me straight after the wedding.”

“But there’s no rush,” Scott adds. “We want to be ready.” For now, they’re enjoying married life – and it clearly suits them.