From Aviemore to TV stardom for an instant bride
The strath has a new TV star.
Aviemore born and bred, Sionainn Carmichael made her debut on Tuesday night - by turning the mating game on its head and marrying a total stranger.
On the eve of her 30th birthday, the make-up artist, now based in Glasgow, told the Strathy: “God knows what my lovely late dad Stevie would have thought about me doing this!”
But there’s no doubt that her family and friends are going to be gripped as her relationship with 29-year-old Manchester bin man Ryan is explored by E4’s “Married at First Sight UK”.
While obliged to keep her television audience on tenterhooks, she confessed: “I wasn’t sure when I first saw him. He wasn’t my usual type.
“But everyone will need to tune in to see how it plays out at 9pm each night…”
In the show, Sionainn - pronounced ‘Shannon’ - made it plain she had had enough of one-night stands and ‘immature’ men.
She was looking for a man who had fully grown up and was capable of accepting his responsibilities.
She soon discovered he is a father who loves both his son Leo and his job - and is in remission from the disease which so prematurely claimed her father four years ago.
“I can say the series is very dramatic. I think we’ve only scratched the surface and the viewers have got a lot to look forward to!”
But there’s nothing to stop her looking back, she agreed: “I grew up in Aviemore and spent my weekends in The Vault rather than skiing!
“I left to study make-up artistry in Glasgow when I was 20 and returned for a short time after lockdown, but I always knew I needed to be back in the city.
“At the same time, I can say I have a new appreciation for the Highlands being a visitor rather than a resident!”
