Star ties knot

Mar 12 2006 By Geoff Meade, Sunday Sun

Celebrities turned out in force yesterday to celebrate the civil partnership ceremony of former EastEnders star Michael Cashman, now a Labour Euro-MP and gay rights activist.

Love blossomed for Cashman, 55, and his partner of 23 years, Paul Cottingham, 41, thanks to former Carry On queen Barbara Windsor.

The couple, who registered a civil partnership in London, were introduced by Windsor when she and Cashman were performing at Butlins, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

Mr Cottingham was a redcoat at the holiday camp while Cashman, who went on to become the first gay character in EastEnders, was a shop steward for the actors' union Equity.

Wedding guests included Ross Kemp, June Brown and Laila Morse, from EastEnders, and Helen Worth, from Coronation Street.

The world of politics was represented by Chancellor Gordon Brown, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett, EU Commissioner Lord Kinnock and Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie.