### Welsh Woman Marries Husband Who is the Spitting Image of Her TV Idol
A woman from Merthyr Tydfil believes she has fulfilled a lifelong fantasy after tying the knot with a man many say looks uncannily like her celebrity crush from TV drama *Line of Duty*. Kelsey Willmott, aged 30, has always admired Scottish actor Martin Compston, best known for his role as detective inspector Steve Arnott in the renowned BBC series. But little did she know, her romantic journey would end up with her marrying someone who is his virtual double.
Kelsey’s romantic tale began in March 2021 when she matched with Arron Willmott on dating app Bumble. Immediately drawn to Arron’s dark hair, distinctive beard and sharply defined jawline, she decided to reach out. The pair chatted for two weeks before meeting in person for a walk, cautiously navigating the uncertainties of a first date. At first, Kelsey saw Arron as simply attractive—she did not realise just how closely he mirrored her TV hero.
However, as their relationship progressed, a startling realisation washed over her. “The penny dropped a few weeks in,” Kelsey shared. “Suddenly I realised why I felt so drawn to him; Arron is the image of Martin Compston.” Family members and friends quickly picked up on the resemblance too, fuelling a playful commentary on social media after Kelsey posted about it on TikTok.
After dating for three and a half years, Kelsey and Arron solidified their relationship with an engagement, later saying their vows at an elegant stately home in Somerset on 2 May. The bride described walking down the aisle as almost surreal, saying it felt as if she were marrying both the partner of her dreams and her on-screen crush.
The similarities haven’t gone unnoticed in everyday life either. Arron regularly finds himself the subject of double-takes and comments from passersby, often stopped by strangers—usually women—in the street, all eager to confirm if he is indeed the doppelgänger of the famed detective sergeant.
Kelsey recounted how “strangers often approach Arron, commenting on the striking similarity. After our TikTok video gained traction online, it became even more obvious that others could see it too. It’s almost uncanny.” The viral post amassed over 300,000 views, eliciting thousands of comments from stunned users who joked about playing “spot the difference” between Arron and the actor.
Arron, 31, admitted he was not fazed by the daily comparisons, expressing pride in being likened to a popular TV personality. “I’m a fan of *Line of Duty* myself, so I find it amusing,” he said, noting with a smile that he stands a bit taller than the real Martin Compston. When asked about his wedding day, he described seeing Kelsey approach the altar as a moment charged with emotion, captured on camera as he wiped away tears.
While many might envy Kelsey for marrying her lookalike obsession, she’s keen to stress that Arron is the full package. “Arron is completely my type, inside and out. That said, I have to admit, my friends say I must be lucky—who else could end up marrying their celeb crush’s twin?”
The phenomenon of lookalikes isn’t a new one, but Arron and Kelsey’s story demonstrates the role that celebrity culture and popular media play in people’s real-life romantic aspirations. It also highlights the quirks of modern dating, where a chance swipe can lead to fairy-tale endings—or at least, a few viral moments along the way.
As their story continues to resonate online, it offers a reminder that sometimes, reality does mirror fiction—and for some, love at first sight really can be love at first “right swipe.”