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A man crowned 'Punching Above Your Weight Champion' for pairing off with a more attractive partner has married the woman of his dreams.

Darren Donaghey is no looker by his own admission and the 29-year-old scooped an award earlier this year for pulling stunning partner Kate Cathcart.

Judges were bowled over by the difference between ordinary-looking Darren and blonde Kate, who has the looks of a Hollywood babe.

(Image: NNP)

And on Sunday the unlikely couple tied the knot at Matfen Hall in Northumberland.

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Sales adviser Darren, from Newcastle, is always getting ribbed by pals about how he managed to impress gorgeous Kate, his partner of eight years.

But he proved that looks count for nothing when it comes to true love as he walked down the aisle with her.

He said: “For years I’ve had stick about how I managed to woo Kate and it’s not unusual to be out together and other guys to innocently start chatting Kate up, thinking that I couldn’t possibly be with her.

“Even when we are out shopping at Asda I get these funny looks from blokes and I know what they are thinking.”

(Image: NNP)

The couple met when Kate moved into the same street as Darren, and they have a two-year-old son.

The North East public voted Darren one of the region’s luckiest men as he scooped a radio award in March.

They had planned a short weekend break as a honeymoon, but in the competition won an all-inclusive two week holiday to Rhodes, Greece.

(Image: Chronicle Live)

Full-time mother Kate said: “I love Darren dearly and as most people know, looks aren’t everything. We joke about it all the time.”

Radio presenter Steve said: “When they walked in my jaw dropped. She was simply stunning and... what can I say about Darren.

“There was some innocent flirting going on from my side. Seriously though, they were a fantastic couple and we were chuffed to bits to see them win.”

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