Who Is Kirstie Allsopp Married To
You might think the lack of a wedding ring would cause a scandal, but Kirstie is refreshingly blasé about it. She once casually dropped that they are "married in all but name," which sounds like a very mature life choice. Or perhaps she just hasn’t found the perfect, upcycled, vintage venue for the ceremony yet. Knowing her, the wedding cake would need six months of planning.
They met in 1996, before Kirstie became a household name. The story goes that she was 25, he was a mate of a mate, and they clicked over something deeply romantic—like a shared love of dry finance jokes. They didn't get engaged until 1999, which makes the whole “no wedding” thing even funnier. It’s a 25-year-long engagement, putting most of our “will they, won’t they” relationships to shame.
Ben Andersen is the quiet anchor to Kirstie’s very loud, very enthusiastic personality. He’s the calm eye of the home-decorating storm. You’ll never see him on an episode of Location, Location, Location, because he’s probably at work or hiding behind a large plant. He is the human equivalent of a neutral oatmeal wall—supportive, but not trying to steal the spotlight.
Kirstie Allsopp says her leg looks like it was ‘bitten by a shark
What Does He Actually Do?
Let’s get this straight: Ben Andersen is a managing director at a major financial firm. This is deeply unglamorous, which is exactly why Kirstie loves him. While she is fending off angry house sellers, he is dealing with spreadsheets. They are the ultimate odd couple: one obsessed with property chintz, the other obsessed with profit margins.
He also has a brilliant sense of humour about the whole thing. He once reportedly quipped that his main job is to “carry her bags and look handsome.” He does the latter very well, looking like a man who has never panicked over a wonky curtain rail. His superpower? Remaining calm when Kirstie decides to repaint a room at 11 pm.
The most shocking reveal? Ben is actually the one who suggested they not get married. In a world where TV personalities often feel pressured to have a perfect “on-screen” life, they decided their relationship was fine as it was. It is a deeply un-trendy, un-Instagrammable decision, and it is brilliant.