When Cheyenne Pidgley was filmed for a TV show being dragged out of her friend’s wedding by an admirer, the gypsy “grabbing” ritual – in which boys force girls to kiss them – sparked controversy.
In scenes that shocked viewers of Channel 4’s Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, 17-year-old John McFadyen led Cheyenne, then 14, out of the reception and pushed her against a wall, demanding a kiss. Part of the gypsy courtship routine, grabbing has been criticised by those who claim it borders on assault.
But, despite initially resisting John’s advances, Cheyenne eventually fell for him. And in March, just 10 days after her 16th birthday, they married in an extravagant ceremony.
Now, five months later, Closer can exclusively reveal Cheyenne and John – from Walton-On-Thames, Surrey – are expecting a baby girl.
“When she’s six months old I’m going to get her ears pierced and buy her diamond earrings – gypsies love bling and sparkle!”
“When she’s six months old I’m going to get her ears pierced and buy her diamond earrings – gypsies love bling and sparkle!”
Cheyenne, who is 20 weeks pregnant, says: “We’re over the moon – John can’t wait to have a daddy’s girl and I’m really looking forward to having a little princess. I’m going to buy her designer stuff like Louis Vuitton, Juicy Couture and Armani.
“When she’s six months old I’m going to get her ears pierced and buy her diamond earrings – gypsies love bling and sparkle!”
Although Cheyenne resisted John’s advances when they first met, he grabbed her again a few weeks later in town. She eventually gave in to his charms in April 2011.
Cheyenne says: “Some boys assault girls when they grab them, they hold their arms behind their backs. I don’t agree with that, but John just held me against a fence. I thought I was too young – but it worked out well in the end.”
After a two-month relationship, John, now 18, proposed with a “really big diamond” in June last year – just two days before Cheyenne’s mum, Julie, 52, lost her four-year battle with cancer.
Gypsy weddings are famously lavish, and Cheyenne’s
ceremony in March was no exception. She says: “I had a white and pink theme – the best men even had pink waistcoats.
“Gypsy girls don’t have a budget – Dad had saved for years."
“I had 10 bridesmaids who wore either tutu-style dresses or tight-fitting, ruffled fishtail gowns, and the bodice and hearts on my dress were covered in Swarovski crystals. I could hardly get out of the door – my dress was massive! I felt like Cinderella.”
Cheyenne had four hairdressers and a make-up artist to perfect her and her bridesmaids’ looks. She was driven to the church in a white stretch Hummer, then a Rolls-Royce drove the couple to the reception, where the buffet for the 300 guests included lobster.
Cheyenne says: “Gypsy girls don’t have a budget – Dad had saved for years. I had everything I wanted. I missed my mum, but it was the best day of my life.”
They honeymooned in Menorca and Hawaii – courtesy of John’s parents, Josie, 37, and Chris, 43, a property developer.
In line with tradition, John, who works in property maintenance, bought Cheyenne a new trailer – equipped with cream leather sofas and a plasma TV – before the wedding. He moved in after the ceremony, and they now live behind her family’s five-bed house.
Just a month later, at the end of April, Cheyenne discovered she was pregnant – it’s gypsy tradition for newlyweds to try for babies straight away.
She says: “When I realised, I was shocked – we’d only been married for a month! But I was really happy and John was over the moon.”
In July, the couple found out their baby – due on New Year’s Eve – is a girl.
“We decided we’d call her Berry-Marie, after John’s nan and sister, and I started shopping straight away – every time I go out I buy something,” explains Cheyenne, who left school at 13 without any GCSEs.
“I don’t have a budget for the baby – if I want something I get it. If I need money, John gives it to me – that’s the way it is in the gypsy community.
“I’ve bought loads of Disney babygros, dummies and baby headbands covered with diamantés and flowers.”
Cheyenne admits she’s not enjoying pregnancy.
“Gypsy boys go to work – it’s the mother’s role to change the nappies and do the night feeds”
“Gypsy boys go to work – it’s the mother’s role to change the nappies and do the night feeds,”
“I feel fat and ugly but John tells me I look good,” she says. “He rubs my belly, which is sweet. He’s going to be a great dad – very protective. I think I’ll be a great mum, too. I’m looking forward to having a little friend.”
But Cheyenne doesn’t expect John to be a hands-on dad.
“Gypsy boys go to work – it’s the mother’s role to change the nappies and do the night feeds,” she explains.
Indeed, since getting married, the couple – who plan to continue living in their caravan after the birth – abide by most typical gypsy traditions. Cheyenne says: “I do all the cooking and cleaning – John earns the money. Sometimes I get bored – but when the baby comes I’ll be busy.”
The couple enjoy nights out at the cinema together and Cheyenne supports John when he takes part in boxing matches. But she rarely socialises without him.
She explains: “It’d feel weird going out for a night without my husband – it’s not the gypsy way.”
Meanwhile Cheyenne is already planning a christening extravagant enough to rival her wedding day.
She says: “Religion is a big deal for gypsies – there won’t be a budget for the christening. It will be a big fat gypsy christening! We’ll probably have around 100 guests – and I’ll get a dresses covered in Swarovski crystals especially made for me and the baby.”
“If she leaves school at 13 like me that’s fine"
Cheyenne is happy for her daughter to have a similar upbringing to her own, saying: “When she’s about 13, I’ll give her money for manicures, eyebrow shaping and highlights, and if she wants sunbeds we’ll pay for them.
“If she leaves school at 13 like me that’s fine – I want her to learn to read and write, that’d be nice, but I don’t think she needs to know more than that. If she wants to marry at 16 I’ll support her.”
“When I found out I was pregnant I stopped using sunbeds – they’re dangerous for the baby. I can’t wait to have one after the birth – I’ll be a glamorous mum. Despite her excitement, Cheyenne admits she’s looking forward to getting her body back after the birth. She says:
“I can get all glammed up with my little princess. It’s going to be so much fun. I’d like to have five children.”
John adds: “I can’t wait to be a proper little family. If you start having babies young, you can have more – I’d be happy with 15 kids!”