TV funnymanMichael Barrymore is reported to have secretly wed his south Essex gay lover.

Barrymore, the 45-year-old star of Strike it Lucky and My Kind of People, tied the knot with Shaun Davis, 24, in a secret ceremony in Hawaii.

The marriage, which took place last summer, is said to be the couple's first step towards adopting a child.

Catherine Davis, the mother of former Gable Hall School pupil Shaun, told a national newspaper: "They seem so happy after the blessing. It was obviously very emotional for them.

"They went through with the blessing because they have a very happy and stable relationship and wanted to prove that to one another.

"They are now planning to adopt a child and I am looking forward to becoming a grandmother for the fourth time."

Shaun, of Corringham, used to work as a stockbroker in the City. He gave up his job to become Barrymore's personal assistant.

The comedian has spoken of his love for Shaun and said he saved him from alcoholism. They now live together in London's Docklands.

Barrymore, who is holidaying in the South Pacific with Shaun, has said he would like to adopt a child when "the circumstances are right".

The couple were said to have paid £200 to marry at a site overlooking the Pacific in Honolulu's gay district.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.