Former royal butler Paul Burrell bravely revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis on ITV show Lorraine today, prompting interest in his marriage to husband Graham Cooper.
Paul Burrell, former footman to Queen Elizabeth II and butler to Princess Diana, tearfully confirmed his cancer diagnosis on national TV, noting it had affected his emotional wellbeing.
The 64-year-old is currently undergoing hormone therapy. Describing his symptoms, he said: “I’m tired, I’m on hormone therapy, it’s robbing me of my testosterone so my beard isn’t growing as it should. I’m tired, and I’m getting hot flushes.”
Burrell is the father of two sons, who he shares with ex-wife Maria Cosgrove. He has been married to Graham Cooper since 2017. Here’s what we know about Graham and how they met.
Get to know Paul Burrell’s husband, Graham Cooper
Born in 1959, Graham Cooper is 63 years old. He is a lawyer and Paul Burrell’s former business partner. The pair have been dating since at least 2007, notes The Mirror, after they spotted each other on a train.
It was love at first sight for Paul, who asked for Graham’s number immediately.
“In his [Graham’s] hand, he had his business card,” Paul recalled of the moment they met. “He was already going to leave it on the table. And he smiled as he left the train.”
After more than ten years of secretly dating, Paul publicly acknowledged his sexuality in March 2017 and went on to marry Graham weeks later in Bowness, Cumbria.
The couple retired in July 2019 and live in a 19th century mock-Tudor home in Cheshire.
Paul and his wife divorced after years of separation
Paul and Maria divorced in 2016 after 32 years of marriage but they had been separated for more than a decade at the time. They met while working at Buckingham Palace; Maria worked for Prince Philip.
Paul said he broke down in tears when he revealed his wedding plans to Maria as he feared he’d “lose” his two sons, Nick and Alex. They live in the US with their mother.
They were, however, supportive of their father’s relationship and both attended the ceremony. Paul had revealed his sexuality to his children at Christmas 2016.
In other news, Who was Jerry Butler, Lisa Loring’s third husband?