Stand-up comedian Joshua met Monique at his mother’s villa in Majorca, where PR guru Lynne Franks was hosting Sir Bob Geldof and family. Monique, who grew up in New Zealand, was then the Geldof’s nanny. She is currently a child counsellor in an East London primary for the charity, Kids Company. She has a postgraduate diploma in integrative counselling from London Metropolitan University. Joshua, who grew up in West London, has been a stand-up comic for six years, and is a writer and TV presenter. He has a BA in anthropology and communications from Goldsmiths College
How they met
Joshua: “We met at my mum’s house in the village of Deia, but I had seen Monique sunbathing on a rock and had asked God to deliver her unto me — which he/she did. “Monique recalls: “I walked into the house to meet a handsome but rude Joshua who wouldn’t stop watching TV. When the film finished it turns out that he had the capacity to be charming.”
The proposal
“Four years later I took Monique back to that rock on the beach and proposed,” Joshua says.Monique: “I realised that something was up after Joshua had paid for lunch.”
The wedding
Joshua says of Westminster Synagogue: “Rabbi Thomas Salamon is a great rabbi and friend. We’ve been members there for two years. Monique did her conversion there.We consider ourselves lucky to be part of such a great community.” The reception for around 170 guests, including Sir Bob and family, was held at a friend’s restaurant in Notting Hill called The Tavistock.
The honeymoon
Says Joshua: “Sri Lanka – we wanted to give something back after the Tsunami.” The comedian in him adds: “It was great, Joshua has a fantastic tan and the time spent in the gym was not wasted. Think Kirk Douglas in Spartacus.”