The daughter of veteran Gladiators host and former England footballer John Fashanu is preparing to marry a billionaire African businessman in an extravagant wedding spanning three days and two continents. Amal Fashanu, 37, has reconciled with her famous father on the eve of her nuptials, and he will walk her down the aisle when she marries Ghanaian tycoon Mohamad Odaymat.
Wedding Plans Span Two Continents
Speaking publicly for the first time about the planned epic event, Ms Fashanu revealed that the wedding to an heir of one of Ghana's most influential billionaire families will take place in both Africa and Europe, with private jets assisting the movement of guests. Thanks to her reconciliation with her father, he is set to play a prominent role in both legs of the celebration, despite concerns about his declining health.
Amal, a Nigerian TV presenter and entrepreneur, revealed that the main event will be held on May 7 next year, even though she and Mr Odaymat are technically already married. The couple recently had a low-key courthouse ceremony with just four witnesses before hosting a small planned party for 40 Ghanaian-based friends and relatives, which ended up entertaining more than 150 people.
Reconciliation with Father
Amal told how she was moved to patch things up with the former England and Wimbledon striker when his health took a turn for the worse. John, now 63, has been laid low by a mystery condition that she believes may be connected to heading thousands of balls during his 17-year professional career, similar to other former players who have suffered. She is hoping that John, who has been living in Nigeria for the past 13 years, will be fully recovered in time to be one of the guests of honour on her big day.
Amal said more than 600 guests will be invited to their celebrations, exactly a year after their legal wedding. The festivities will be held in Nigeria, where her father lives, and Spain, home to her mother, former model Marisol Acuna Duenas.
A Love Story Born in Ghana
Amal told how football helped bring her together with Mohamad, who is of Lebanese origin and runs his own pharmaceutical company, as well as having business ties with a billionaire uncle who shares his name. She was introduced by one of her best friends, Imani Ayew, sister of former Premier League stars Jordan and Andre Ayew and daughter of ex-Ghana captain Abedi Pele.
Amal, who divides her time between the UK and Ghana and has a home in west London, said Imani invited her for a night out at a lounge bar in Accra, and Mohamed was there too. 'Since then we have been together - he's definitely the one. From that first night I knew that we were a match,' she said.
Health Concerns and Future Plans
Amal revealed that she fell out with John after he signed up for ITV's Dancing on Ice behind her back while she was acting as his agent. However, concerns over his health brought them closer together. She said John recently travelled back to the UK where the Professional Footballers' Association's doctors carried out medical tests.
John Fashanu, known as 'Fash the Bash' for his belligerent style, began his career at Norwich City before an eight-year spell with Wimbledon, scoring more than 100 league goals in 276 appearances. He helped the club to promotion and a memorable FA Cup final triumph over Liverpool in 1988, earning two England caps.
Amal is also starting a business with her father to keep him active, including a health and wellness clinic and a football academy in Nigeria. She is the founder of The Justin Fashanu Foundation, set up in her uncle's name to fight prejudice in professional sport and promote mental health awareness. Justin, the first openly gay professional footballer, was found hanged in 1998 at age 37.
