Love Island’s Tom Walker announces he’s wed his ‘secret’ girlfriend after 10-year on-off romance

Love Island star Tom Walker has announced that he’s married his girlfriend Chloe Raynor, following a 10-year on-off romance.

The couple tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on January 2, with model Tom, 31, taking to Instagram to share the news on Monday.

Posting shots of the pair sharing a kiss before holding hands and walking through the snow-covered grounds of their wedding venue, Tom gushed about how ‘lucky’ he felt to have found the brunette beauty.

He wrote: ‘So… We got married. After a couple of crazy years we decided to start the year off with a bit of positivity. Last weekend, 2.1.21 we tied the knot COVID style. We’ve been a long distance couple, on and off for almost 10 years now!

‘Life experiences, all the challenges of the past few years and then plenty of thinking time, has made me realise that there is only one person I’d like to spend the rest of my life with.

‘So we made the decision not to waste anymore time and commit to spending rest of our lives together. Thanks Little One for saying yes and becoming my Wife, I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found you! When you know, you know and I know.’

Cutting a dapper figure in a grey suit, Tom looked elated as he held hands with his elegant new wife, who opted for a chic ivory pantsuit for their big day.

Good news: The couple tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on January 2, with model Tom, 31, taking to Instagram to share the news on Monday 

Best friend: For her part, Chloe also dedicated romantic words to her new husband on her own Instagram account, writing, '✨2.1.21✨ Last week I got to marry my best friend'

Best friend: For her part, Chloe also dedicated romantic words to her new husband on her own Instagram account, writing, ‘✨2.1.21✨ Last week I got to marry my best friend’ 

For her part, Chloe also dedicated romantic words to her new husband on her own Instagram account, writing: ‘✨2.1.21✨ Last week I got to marry my best friend.

‘After 10 years of obstacles and long distance, we finally stepped into a new chapter. I can’t believe I’m your wife (!!) @tom9walker, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life laughing, exploring and being in love with you.’

Tom appeared on Love Island during the summer of 2019 and was famously seen facing the wrath of his then potential girlfriend Maura Higgins, after she caught him bantering with the boys at her expense as they headed to the hideaway.

As a result of the embarrassing faux pas, Tom was expeditiously dumped by a furious Maura, leading to his departure from the hit ITV2 show soon afterwards. 

Girlfriend: When Tom arrived on Love Island in the summer of 2019, a number of fans were quick to claim that he was still in a long-distance relationship with Chloe

Girlfriend: When Tom arrived on Love Island in the summer of 2019, a number of fans were quick to claim that he was still in a long-distance relationship with Chloe 

Wow! Fans were astounded by his then-girlfriend's stunning good looks (pictured in 2018)

Wow! Fans were astounded by his then-girlfriend’s stunning good looks (pictured in 2018) 

While Maura left the show coupled up with Curtis Pritchard, she has since gone on to reveal that she’s in a relationship with Love Island co-star Chris Taylor.

When Tom arrived on Love Island in the summer of 2019, a number of fans were quick to claim that he was still in a long-distance relationship with Chloe. 

Using the couple’s slew of images posted on his Instagram page, Tom was subject to suspicion from viewers after they viewed the cosy snaps with his stunning companion dating as early as six months before he joined the show.

In captions on the backdated shots, Tom gushed over US-based Chloe and revealed they had been dating for a whopping seven years, leading to suspicion from fans, yet a Love Island representative confirmed the hunk was single at the time.

Hunky: The model made shockwaves when he arrived in the Love Island villa as a latecomer

Hunky: The model made shockwaves when he arrived in the Love Island villa as a latecomer

One snap was a cosy shot shared in December 2018 as the stunning duo cosied up while he wished his followers a Merry Christmas. 

Pictured in September 2018 in Ohio, he took to the caption to pen: ‘Sad day leaving this one today. Heading back home. It’s been an amazing month, thanks for having me @chloeraynerxx you’re a little beauty and I can’t wait until next time!’

In June 2018, he shared a gushing post in which he honoured Chloe, writing: ‘Happy Birthday. to this absolute dreamboat! Sorry I can’t be there to celebrate with you. Over the past 7 years I’ve seen her go from an 8 into a solid 10…

‘Jokes, you’ve always been an 11 . I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have spent the last 7 years with. Thanks so much for putting up with me and for sharing so many amazing memories.

‘You’re beautiful inside and out. I can’t wait to see you, squash this distance and actually be together! Love you’. 

Oops: He was famously seen facing the wrath of Maura Higgins, after she caught him bantering with the boys at her expense as they headed to the hideaway

Oops: He was famously seen facing the wrath of Maura Higgins, after she caught him bantering with the boys at her expense as they headed to the hideaway