A FOOTBALLER who proposed to his future wife as she lay on her sick bed after a life-saving operation will be marrying her for the second time tomorrow.

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 home, in Lyme Regis, with their two children, Billie Mae, eight, and six-year-old Charlie, they will tie the knot again on Anna's 40th birthday at Bridport Register Office.

Ellis is well known in local sporting circles having played football for Dorchester, Bridport and Lyme Regis.

"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."

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

"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 forever. She was a lovely girl then, and she is now."

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.