A couple who shared their heartbreak with thousands of radio listeners, after both suffered the loss of a loved one, finally tied the knot last weekend (Saturday, June 25).

Redcar-based Gordon Mogg and South African-born Rose Browne connected via Facebook after both suffering the heartbreak of losing their partners through illness.

Gordon shared his heartache with BBC Radio Tees presenter Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough and kept radio listeners updated via Goffy’s Sunday Inspirations feature across the airwaves through the years.

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The 69-year-old said: “I was in a very difficult place in my life following the loss of my gorgeous wife Kath back in June 2015 through multiple sclerosis. I found it extremely hard to cope and for a period I simply let things crush me in so many ways.

“Kath was a beautiful wife and mam to us all, Kath’s memory will forever shine brightly.

"It was by total chance that I met Rose and it was through a connection online and via Facebook Messenger.

"Rose 59, had lost her husband Michael (June 2014) through that truly horrible cancer disease, and after much correspondence we arranged to meet. The connection would totally change the course of our lives and take us to much brighter and happier days.”

They arranged to meet at Rose's home in Durban in South Africa where they both shared the heartbreak and grief of losing their previous partners.

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As the story evolved, Gordon updated BBC Radio Tees listeners with a regular calls to Goffy’s shows. Their joy was complete when they agreed to marry, only lockdown prevented it happening on two occasions. It was a case of third time lucky for Gordon and Rose on Saturday.

Rose said: “Life is really strange at times, it deals out the cruellest of blows and somehow it can heal by meeting lovely people in those moments of despair. Losing my husband Michael was truly painful and heart-breaking in every possible way.

"Meeting Gordon totally changed my life and he has brought back the much brighter and happier days when I thought it would never be possible.”

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The ceremony took place on Pickering Station at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway with a reception afterwards on the terraces overlooking the countryside.

During the afternoon guests joined the happy couple on a train journey from Pickering to Grosmont where everyone had treated to afternoon cream tea and champagne to celebrate with Mr and Mrs Mogg.

Gordon said: “Each time I called Goffy to update him and the listeners and it was clear that life was being kind to me as time rolled on, this after being in such a horrific place.”

Goffy said: “I love to talk to positive and inspirational people, Gordon and Rose are most certainly both of those. Gordon’s regular calls over the years started with clear to hear heartbreak and ended with total joy for them both. I hope people listening to the story via BBC Radio Tees over the years will be inspired to think that anything is possible, even in the very darkest of times.”

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