'I didn't know if I'd ever get married...it was just perfect

Grantchester star Melissa Johns invites OK! readers to share in her very special wedding

- KENZI DEVINE

“This isn’t how I expected to feel,” admits Melissa Johns, as she sits down to chat with OK! a few days after marrying Dan Hampton in a stunning Herefordshire wedding.

Despite the ambiguous opening statement, however, it turns out former Coronation Street actress Melissa — best known for portraying Imogen Pascoe on the famous cobbles — just can’t believe quite how happy she is to be a married woman.

“I know it sounds really weird, but what I mean is, I just feel absolutely wonderful,” explains the 34-year-old. “I just thought it was going to be a wedding day and a party. I didn’t expect to feel such an unbelievable change in myself and my relationship. It’s bizarre to feel like you just fell in love with someone all over again. It’s just wonderful.”

Against the exquisite backdrop of the 14th-century Brinsop Court Manor House and Barn, Melissa tied the knot with transport planning consultant Dan, 36, in a rustic ceremony on 11 October — a day she describes as “perfect”. The bride looked beautiful in a strapless fishtail gown with a fitted corset and bead embellishments, while her groom was the picture of elegance in a three-piece tweed suit and paisley tie.

As Melissa catches us up on her wedding day from her ‘mini-moon’ in Sicily, where the couple flew after becoming husband and wife, she can hardly contain her happiness. And while many little girls dream of their big day, the actress, who was born missing half her right arm, explains why her disability made this even more of a special moment.

“Because of having one arm and looking very different to other people growing up, when I was young, I wasn’t necessarily sure getting married was something that would happen for me,” explains Melissa.