A COUPLE who’ve journeyed through cancer together have finally tied the knot.

Debbie Smith and Richard Watts, from Colchester, were married in front of 75 family and friends at the Princes Theatre, Clacton, after winning the wedding courtesy of the Daily Gazette.

The Gazette readers spotted our Win a Wedding competition in the paper in February, so decided it was time to get the ball rolling after a tumultuous three years.

Debbie, 55, was diagnosed with breast cancer and for the last 18 months has undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Her mother also died at the start of the year from Alzheimer’s disease.

Speaking about the big day, Richard, 49, said: “It was truly amazing.

“I went in the morning at 11am to see how the venue was looking and it was amazing what they did with it,

“Between the theatre staff, and Scarlett Heart Weddings and Events, they transformed the theatre into a marvellous venue. I had my mind put at rest before the wedding started at 3pm. I cannot praise the theatre staff and Scarlett Heart enough really.”

Debbie walked up the aisle to the sounds of a live singer before they took their vows on the stage in front of guests.

Richard said office administrator Debbie looked “stunning” in her gown.

He said: “I was tearful and that was quite unusual for me. We had waited so long for it and we had the family all come together.”

Guests tucked into an afternoon tea before the evening celebrations. After being together for 12 years, it was fitting for Debbie and Richard to make their first dance At Last by Etta James.

Richard’s best men were his sons Samuel Watts and Anthony Fitzgerald.

The bridesmaids were Debbie’s daughters Charlotte Watts and Victoria Smith.

They share seven children and 11 grandchildren and have been engaged six years.

Friends and family had been nagging the couple to get married, so they sent newspapers all over the country to get enough postal votes.

Debbie has described Richard, who planned most of the wedding, as her “rock” in recent years.

Debbie’s cancer treatment means she has to go to hospital for check-ups every six months.

However, so far no more worrying cancer signs have emerged.

Before she took her vows, she said: “I wouldn’t have got through the illness without him as he stayed strong throughout it all.”

Debbie and Richard met when they worked in Marks Tey.

At the time, Richard was a restaurant manager, while Debbie worked in the office and was drawn to his kind, genuine nature.

Prizes in our competition have come courtesy of the Princes Theatre in Clacton, Scarlett Heart Weddings and Events, Blowers Hair and Beauty and Delicate Daisy florists.

In particular, Scarlett Heart Weddings and Events provided items worth many hundreds of pounds.

Some of which included live vocals all day, the Master of Ceremonies, DJ, the dancefloor, wedding cakes, chair covers, table centrepieces, a chocolate fountain and vintage sweet cart.

Hannah Dornan, promotions co-ordinator at the Gazette’s parent company, Newsquest Essex, added: “It was a hugely popular competition and was our pleasure to help Debbie and Richard tie the knot at long last.”

Richard and Debbie’s honeymoon will be in September when they will jet off to Antigua for a week.