A LOCAL soccer star who proposed to his future wife as she lay on her sick bed after a lifesaving operation was set to remarry her for the second time at the weekend.

Ellis and Anna Hoole, who first married in 1989, saw their love story hit the national headlines when a magazine named them the most romantic couple in the country. But they divorced eight years later.

Now, after continuing to live together at their Lym Close, in Lyme Regis, with their two children, Billie Mae, eight, and Charlie, six, they will tie the knot again on Anna's 40th birthday at Bridport Register Office.

"We divorced because I wanted Ellis to wake up and smell the coffee," said Anna.

"I had to show him that he had responsibilities and couldn't go on living in his own little world.

"When Ellis proposed to me the first time, after I came round from my operation in Southampton Hospital following a brain haemorrhage, it made my will to get better even stronger.

"In many ways he helped to save my life. Knowing he was there 100 per cent for me was a tremendous thing.

"Our divorce was due my own stupidity and poor behaviour," said Ellis. "But I have always had a deep love for Anna and, despite it all, we have remained very close.

"I decided that there was no point in us remaining unmarried.

"We have two lovely children, and I felt we should wed again for all of our sakes. I proposed this time in the kitchen, and Anna said 'Yes' straight away.

"I shall never forget that desperate time when Anna was fighting for her life. She had three operations, and we were not sure that she was going to make it. "Then she came round, and I proposed immediately.

"Her whole face lit up, and I just knew she would recover. I feel the bond we forged then will be with us for ever. She was a lovely girl then, and she is now."

Ellis, one of the living legends of Perry Street football, will be 37 next month. The couple first wed on a Saturday in the Parish Church at Lyme, after which Ellis dashed over to Barrington to turn out for the Seasiders.