Rugby league star Joe Westerman has married Alison Hopkinson, who has been described in reports as the former wife of one of his friends, more than three years after the incident that contributed to the breakdown of his first marriage.
The 36-year-old tied the knot with the estate agent in Scarborough on Monday, 26 October 2026, and shared photographs of the ceremony on social media. His wedding comes just weeks after his former wife, whose name has been reported as both Laura and Lauren Boyd, reportedly married her new partner, Karl Holmes.
Westerman Marries Alison After Two-Year Engagement
Westerman announced his marriage by sharing photographs of the celebrations, accompanied by a message thanking those who attended. He wrote: 'A day we will never forget. Thank you to everyone who made it so special. Here's to our forever. The Westermans.'
The former England international wore a beige suit for the ceremony, while Alison chose an A-line wedding dress featuring a short train. The newlyweds subsequently shared further photographs from their celebrations, with reports indicating that they had gone away with their children.
One guest commented on the wedding photographs: 'I'm crying again. The most perfect day for the most perfect couple.'
According to reports, Alison was previously married to another of Westerman's friends. She is also a mother of two, although the circumstances surrounding the end of her previous marriage have not been independently established.
Westerman and Alison went public with their relationship in 2023, just weeks after his marriage to his first wife broke down. The pair subsequently became engaged and remained engaged for approximately two years before exchanging vows.
Their wedding comes more than three years after Westerman's private life attracted widespread attention following the circulation of footage showing him engaging in sexual activity in an alley behind a Greggs bakery.
Joe Westerman seen for first time since sex act video as wife splits with rugby star https://t.co/imc0yAfcex pic.twitter.com/jwrj3Eip2O
— Sun Sport (@SunSport) February 14, 2023
Greggs Scandal Ended His Marriage
Westerman's marriage to his childhood sweetheart broke down in 2023 after footage emerged showing him performing a sex act with a woman in an alley behind a Greggs bakery in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. The video circulated shortly before the start of the Super League season and prompted disciplinary action from his club, Castleford Tigers, which fined him and ordered him to undertake community service.
His former wife publicly denied being the woman in the footage amid speculation on social media. In a statement, she wrote: 'Can I make this VERY clear that this is NOT me.'
She added: 'We have three children one of whom is almost 15 and she doesn't need to see things like this all over social media!'
She later told that Westerman had only informed her about the footage after it began circulating online. She said: 'Truth is, he only told me because it was on social media.'
She continued: 'But I'm glad it was found because the thought of kissing him after that just makes me feel sick.'
Westerman subsequently sent messages apologising to his former wife and pleading for her to reconsider their relationship. In one message, he wrote: 'Words will never ever explain how sorry I am.'
He added: 'I can't explain what happened cos I physically can't remember.' He also acknowledged the consequences of his actions, writing: 'It's disgusting and I now have to live with it forever. Losing you and the kids is heartbreaking Lauren, you deserve so much better.'
The couple's marriage ultimately ended, with Westerman later beginning his relationship with Alison. His former wife has since moved on with Holmes, whom she reportedly married just weeks before Westerman's wedding.
Both have now married new partners, more than three years after the incident that brought their relationship into the public spotlight.
