Filming My Mum, Your Dad may feel like a “lifetime ago” for Roger Hawes and Janey Smith, but as they prepare to spend their first Christmas together, they’re in no doubt that taking part in the hit series provided them with the best gift ever – true love. The former postman and singer met on the first season of the ITV dating show – dubbed “middle-aged Love Island” – back in May. Seven months on, they couldn’t be more smitten, telling us they have barely spent a day apart since filming ended.
“I’d say it’s going very well,” says Roger, 59, during our exclusive festive OK! shoot. “It moved on quickly from when, at first, you don’t trump in front of each other! It’s very easy in each other’s company.”
“Life has changed – but in a good way,” adds Janey, 48. Signed up for the show by their children – Roger’s daughter Jess, 29, and Janey’s 20-year-old son William – the couple quickly felt a spark and realised they were a perfect match. But there were trials and tribulations along the way, particularly for unlucky-in-love Janey.
“It was the most bizarre experience – you’re never prepared for anything like that,” she says as she reflects on her time on the show. “I was a rabbit in the headlights at first. It might not have come across, but I was anxious for the first few days. And then I met Roger and it was all fine.”
After decades of failed relationships and heartbreak, Janey didn’t have high hopes of meeting her dream man on a TV dating show.
‘DAD’S CONFIDENCE WAS GONE. WE’VE GOT THAT BACK – HIS SPARKLE’
Denne historien er fra January 01, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
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Denne historien er fra January 01, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered
'Christmas is a double whammy'
Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements
'I think we arrived right on time'
The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts
'No one knows who I am'
Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025
THE ROYAL WEEK
It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities
