Hollyoaks Star Marries Long-Term Fiancé in Lavish Italian Ceremony After Cancer Battle

Hollyoaks star Abi Phillips has tied the knot with her fiancé, Gav, in a stunning ceremony.

The actress, 31, who played Liberty Savage on the soap, took to Instagram to showcase her lavish romantic ceremony in Italy. 

Abi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after getting two lumps tested in her neck in 2022 and made a swift recovery the same year. 

And now she has said ‘I do’ in front of her closest family and friends at the very same location the pair got engaged at in 2023. 

They splashed the cash on multiple venues, which included a castle, and made the occasion extra special with a huge firework display.

The happy couple was seen posing in front of a picturesque backdrop as they graced the balcony of the Villa Cavazza in Modena.

Hollyoaks star Abi Phillips, 31, has tied the knot with her fiancé, Gav, in a stunning ceremony

The actress, who played Liberty Savage on the soap (pictured), took to Instagram to showcase her lavish romantic ceremony in Italy

Abi looked happier than ever as she flaunted her stunning white lace off-the-shoulder dress in snaps from her big day.

Meanwhile, the handsome groom opted for a traditional black three-piece suit.

The post featured a number of photos of Abi and Gav looking every inch the newlyweds as they posed in front of a picturesque backdrop.

In the caption, Abi wrote: ‘Literally having to pinch myself these last couple of days because I can’t quite believe that I was lucky enough to marry the love of my life surrounded by all of the most important people in our lives in our dream venues… @gavgilly we bloody it!!!

‘Our wedding day was the best type of rollercoaster and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who made the effort to come all the way to Italy to celebrate with us. We love you so much.’

‘Also another HUGE thank you to all of our incredible suppliers who honestly now feel like family to us who made our day truly unforgettable.’

Abi first announced her engagement to her partner of 13 years in May 2023, and took to Instagram to share the happy news.

Abi said ‘I do’ in front of her closest family and friends at the very same location the pair got engaged at in 2023

Abi posted a picture of herself showing off her dazzling ring as she posed in front of Italy’s Lake Garda after jetting off on holiday with her beau.

She captioned her post: ‘So this happened last night! 

‘The most magical week in Lake Garda, with my favourite person in the world ended with us getting engaged. 

‘The most perfect proposal at sunset at the edge of the lake.

‘The last 11 years together have been the best of my life and I’m so looking forward to forever together.

‘Thank you for making this trip the most incredible week, it will forever hold a place in my heart. I love you so much!’

In 2022, Abi revealed she had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year after getting two lumps tested in her neck.

Abi told her followers at the time that she was originally told there was nothing to worry about by a doctor due to her young age, before asking for a second opinion after Love Islander Demi Jones raised awareness by sharing the location of her own tumours.

Former soap star Abi admitted she never expected to be told she had cancer, and said: ‘So, I took these pictures before my scans and after my biopsy having a good old laugh about how ridiculously dressed up I looked in the hospital before a gig, not expecting for one moment to get the news that I did two weeks later…

She explained that she was originally told that the lumps were ‘nothing to worry about’ and she was likely just recovering from a minor illness.  

Abi said: ‘I’d previously been sent away from the doctors after having found two lumps in my neck, they’d passed it off and said I was ‘young’ and it wouldn’t be anything and I was ‘probably getting over a cold’ or my body was ‘fighting something off’.

‘As much as that’s what I wanted to hear I wanted to get everything checked for my own peace of mind. 

‘I booked in with a specialist and immediately she told me she was very concerned due to where my lumps were located and referred me for an urgent biopsy and scans.’

Abi first announced her engagement to her partner of 13 years in May 2023, and took to Instagram to share the happy news 

In 2022, Abi revealed she had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year after getting two lumps tested in her neck 

Abi went on to reveal that a consultant later confirmed the worst and told her that her cancer would need urgent surgery and radiotherapy treatment.

She added that she wouldn’t have pushed to see a specialist if it weren’t for Demi sharing her thyroid cancer ordeal on social media, and realised that their lumps were ‘in the exact same place’.

Abi found fame on Hollyoaks at the age of 16 when she debuted as Liberty in 2010. She also famously wrote the song Missing You that featured in Steph Cunningham’s death scene. 

The character of Liberty Savage is now played by Jessamy Stoddart, who took on the role in 2018.