‘I married a bare-knuckle fighter from one of Britain’s best-known traveller families’: Salford mum’s new show

A woman gave up her old life to marry into one of the most high-profile traveller families in the UK - and says “what he says goes - I wouldn’t have it any other way”.

Holly Joyce, 27, met traveller, Dougie Joyce, 34, online - in September 2019 - after liking each other’s pictures on Instagram and eventually chatting over direct message.

They met in March 2020 at a restaurant in Manchester, and after just a few hours, Dougie admitted that he would ‘marry her’.

Dougie had had previous relationships with women outside the traveller community, but Holly had never dated anyone a traveller before.

Friends of the former air hostess were initially concerned that Dougie’s background would be ‘too different’.

They feared that Dougie would use her for her good looks - claiming that she would just be a trophy wife.

But the negative comments against Dougie only spurred him on to “prove them wrong”.

Despite their family and friends having reservations, the couple hit it off and started dating in March 2020.

Dougie even spent lots of time through lockdown staying with Holly at her house with her mum, Diane Edmonds, 59, a cleaner.

Holly, from Salford, fell pregnant with their daughter, Oceanna, now one, in November 2020 and Dougie proposed at a gender reveal party for their daughter in December 2020.

The pair tied the knot in an extravagant ceremony at the Gorton Monastery, Manchester, in July 2022.

The lavish do cost over £60k, included four Rolls Royces, a £12k dress and champagne on tap.

Dougie had planned to arrive in a helicopter, but sadly the venue wouldn’t allow him to land in the car park.

Holly admitted that she has had to make changes to her lifestyle since dating Dougie as she is expected to do all of the housework, run the household, raise the children and look after Dougie.

She also rarely goes out without being accompanied by Dougie.

Dougie supports Holly’s decision to work, but she must ensure that standards do not slip at home.

Before getting married to Dougie, Holly worked for Jet2 as an air hostess, and plans to return to work as a married woman.

While Holly can do the food shop or go to the salon by herself, she says she now doesn’t go out partying or leave the house at night without Dougie accompanying her.

Despite having to adjust to this new way of life, Holly is happy to make the changes and says the pair are ‘happier than ever’.

Holly, a mum-of-two, said: “It’s been a whirlwind that’s turned into a fairytale.

“The biggest difference being a traveller’s wife is you must respect your husband - what he says goes.

“He wouldn’t want me out at parties without him, we’d always go together.

“He’s the man, so he can go out if he wants, but I’m the woman so I can really only go out with him.

“I can go to the salon or out to the shops on my own, but he’s very protective and worries about my safety if I’m out alone.

“I don’t feel like I’m missing out because if I want to do something I just ask Dougie and we can do it together.

“I’d rather be with him anyway.”

The smitten couple met three years ago on social media, and despite facing many challenges are now happily married.

Holly said that she was instantly attracted to Dougie, and it was his smile that won her over.

‘Love at first sight’

Dougie felt that it was ‘love at first sight’.

While Holly’s family were hesitant that their daughter would become a traveller’s wife, they were soon won over by Dougie’s charm.

Holly has embraced her new way of life, immersing herself into the traveller community after instantly getting on with Dougie’s mum, Margaret Joyce, 56.

Their wedding ceremony was attended by 169 people, with over 300 people attending the evening do.

Holly wore a stunning £12k Calla Blanche dress, which was designed especially for her and took over a year to make.

Sticking to traveller tradition, the evening do was segregated - with the women on one side and men on the other.

The couple tied the knot in July 2022, after three years of dating.

Throughout that time, Holly was introduced to the traveller way of life and learnt what would be expected of her, having never dated a traveller before.

Holly’s dad, Hugo, 72, who has sadly since passed away, was initially hesitant about his daughter dating the bare-knuckle fighter and owner of 3D Fight Club, as he was once a bare-knuckle fighter himself and knew the risks.

Dougie has had a successful career as a bare-knuckle fighter and now owns a bare-knuckle fighting club.

Holly admitted that she worries about him scrapping and is unable to watch - opting to wait for him at home with balloons, a cake, and his favourite meal of spuds and cabbage.

But Holly said that Dougie is really a family man and treats her ‘’like a princess’’.

“Family is so important to travellers,” Holly said.

“I remember being so impressed by how Dougie treats his mum.

“He never answers back to his mother and has so much respect for her.

“He buys her flowers, designer shoes, and anything she wants.

“The way a man speaks to his mum says a lot, and Dougie has always been so loving and respectful towards her.

“My family were worried at first, but as soon as they saw how well he looks after me and how respectful he is, they soon approved.

“He’s such an amazing dad - family is everything to him.

“There is a lot of pressure because there’s a lot of competition amongst the community.

“It’s all about who has got the best bags, the best shoes, the best jewellery.

“Dougie expects the house to be perfect, and to be looked after when he comes home from work.

“He doesn’t even make his own drinks.

“It’s quite different to my past relationships and it took some getting used to at first, but he looks after me and provides for our family so I’m happy to do it.

“If he’s happy, I’m happy.”

Dougie added: “I fell madly in love with Holly when we met.

“She wanted to follow our cultural ways - of putting family first.

“It’s our tradition and we are both very happy.

“Family comes first and Holly wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Her Irish background meant she followed her dad’s footsteps - she feels secure as I remind her of her father - old fashioned and down to earth.”

• The couple’s love story - as well as a deeper dive into the traveller community - can be seen in their new film The Joyce Family Documentary, by Art Productions TV, Film and Media limited, available to watch on Amazon Prime. Directed and presented by Tony Gooch.