Soulmates aged 84 and 79 plan white wedding after 60 years apart

A chance encounter reignited the spark between Ansdell pair Ron Owen, 84, and Ruth Holt, 79, who dated in the 1950s, when they both worked at English Electric, in Preston.

The pair ended up thousands of miles apart when Ron, a former cruise ship entertainer, got into showbusiness and Ruth moved to Saudi Arabia.

They met again unexpectedly four years ago in St Annes, as they had both retired to the same sheltered housing complex, and quickly fell in love.

Ron, who has never been married before, said: “When I was in my 20s and Ruth was 18 I used to chat her up and take her out on the Thursday night, would you believe, to Preston greyhounds.”

The lovebirds were reunited when showman Ron used his musical talents to put on a show for other pensioners. Recognising his stage name, Ronnie Ray, Ruth decided to pay him a visit at his Clifton Gardens home, where the two now live together.

Ron said: “We started chatting and within three months we were great pals and in love.

“About six weeks ago we were watching telly and I just turned around to her and said ‘do you want to get married?’ She nearly fell off the settee.

“We’re inviting all our friends and putting on a big buffet in our community hall.

“ I’m looking forward to it but I must admit I’m a little bit nervous. I’ve been on stage in front of 1,000 people and I haven’t been nervous, but I’m doing something that I’ve never done before.”