Sean Bean made a promise to his fifth wife after being “ribbed” by his family and friends over his divorces. This City is Ours star Sean, 65, married American actress Ashley Moore in 2017.
While Sean admits he believed each of his four previous marriages would last “forever”, he concedes it wasn’t meant to be. He however acknowledges that marriage is a “huge commitment” and isn’t something you “take on lightly”.
Sean says he “felt strongly” for each of his ex-wives and wouldn’t have married them if he didn’t. Although, he admits his friends mock his divorces and says his elderly mother would joke that he loves wedding cake. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he joked: “When I look back myself I’m like, ‘F****** hell, that’s quite a few marriages there.’”
Sean married his first wife, highschool sweetheart Debra James, in 1981, but the couple divorced seven years later. He met actress Melanie Hill at RADA and later married in February 1990.
The marriage ended in divorce in 1997. He married Benidorm actress Abigail Cruttenden in November 1997, after meeting while filming Sharpe, only to split in 2000.
The Lord of the Rings star began dating Georgina Sutcliffe in 2006, with the pair marrying two years later. They however separated in August 2010.
The actor says Ashley “understands” the rigours of being an actor, but wants “the rhythm to stop”. He explained: “She knows my history, my relationships, and she’s very understanding.
“She knows I love her and that’s why I will be with her for the rest of my life.” When asked if he truly meant it, Sean added: “Yes. I do.”
Sean says his relationship history wouldn’t be thrust into the spotlight if he had “five girlfriends in 30 years” but believes the fact he married his partners stands out. He says it’s “not as though I’ve been gallivanting around” in that time.
The star instead believes his traditional upbringing in South Yorkshire meant he was keen to settle down and marry. Although, Sean admits he probably could have “got to know them better before taking the plunge”.
Before his wedding to Ashley, Sean even confessed he “wasn’t planning on getting married” again. But he says Ashley is “amazing” and convinced him to walk down the aisle once more.
Speaking to The Times, he said: “She’s full of life. Exuberant. Very positive energy. We’ve been together nearly seven years now and, you know, as I said, she’s been around the acting game.”
Sean is currently starring as drug-lord Ronnie in This City Is Ours. The Liverpool-based crime drama continues on BBC One at 9pm tonight (Sunday, March 23).