Strictly Come Dancing's Ian Waite marries long term partner Drew Merriman

Strictly Come Dancing star Ian Waite has married his long-term partner Drew Merriman in a stunning wedding attended by many of his Strictly co-stars.

The ceremony, which was covered exclusively by HELLO! magazine, was held inside the 18th-century Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey, and boasted a seriously impressive guest list.

There to witness the vows were Ian's former Strictly partners Zoe Ball and Denise Lewis, as well as dancers Natalie Lowe, Anton Du Beke, Erin Boag, Vincent Simone, Camilla Sacre-Dallerup, Matthew Cutler, Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova. Also in attendance were the show's judge Craig Revel Horwood, BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood and retired swimmer Mark Foster.

Speaking of the emotional union, Zoe Ball said: 'We all cried. I'm so happy to see him so happy. Drew had a lot to live up to really, all us 'wives' had to approve and we wholeheartedly do. Ian is the best. I'm obviously completely in love with him – I was tempted to say, "It should have been me!"'

Zoe wasn't the only guest moved to tears by the big day.

'Ian is one of my favourite Strictly professionals and has been for years. I'm so pleased he's finally found true love and happiness,' said Craig Revel Horwood, whilst dancer Erin added: 'It's a privilege to be here. And it feels like we're back with the old crowd, like the good old days, it's really nice.'

'It was the best day of my life,' Ian told the mag. 'It's been absolutely brilliant. It was so emotional to walk into the ceremony and see friends and family looking towards us.'

He continued: 'The ceremony was wonderful, and then walking back past our friends was my highlight actually. I keep saying ‘my husband’ and it's a really nice feeling. Our wedding was unbelievable.'

Drew added: 'Someone came up to me at the end of the night and said, "You haven't stopped smiling all day".'