Father flies halfway round the world to surprise daughter at wedding

Alf Mead, 61, was initially due to attend the wedding of his daughter, Judith, 25, until he pulled his back out lifting a sack of gravel intended for the garden of his home in Ingleton, County Durham.

His recovery time ate into his scheduled three-month stint as a chief engineer on BP oil tankers off Malaysia, so when he returned to work it meant he might have to spend his daughter’s wedding day at sea.

However, sympathetic BP bosses stepped in and arranged for Mr Mead to fly back to Darlington so he could walk his daughter down the aisle today. (Saturday)

Mr Mead arrived in the UK on Thursday after a 12-hour flight and went straight from the airport to pick up his wedding suit, having already sent his wife Joyce his measurements while at sea.

Judith, who had been expecting her mother to walk her down the aisle in the absence of her father, was overwhelmed when Mr Mead made a surprise appearance at the wedding rehearsal at the Blackwell Grange Hotel in Darlington on Friday night.

An emotional Judith said she was completely shocked, adding: “I am the happiest person on earth.”

Mr Mead said: “I am feeling good; it just feels great to see her so happy, it has made her day I think.”

Mrs Mead, who owns Scholars restaurant in Darlington, said it had been difficult keeping the operation a secret from her daughter, joking that she thought about hiding her husband in the coal bunker to ensure he kept out of sight.

She said: “I’m relieved that we managed to keep it a surprise. To see how happy it has made Judith feels amazing; she’s never usually speechless!”

Mrs Mead also thanked the staff at the Blackwell Grange Hotel for their help in keeping the secret and for fitting Mr Mead into the wedding plans at short notice.

Judith will marry 25-year-old Adam Kane at the hotel today (Saturday), walked down the aisle by her father.

The couple live in Darlington and have been together for around three years.