Love doesn’t always follow the rulebook – and Loose Women’s Kaye Adams is living proof. For nearly three decades, she’s been with her long-term partner, Ian Campbell, yet they’ve never tied the knot. And here’s where it gets interesting… despite once admitting she wouldn’t say no if Ian did propose, the couple have simply never felt the need to make things official in the traditional sense.
Kaye Adams, the familiar face from ITV’s Loose Women, has been a regular on our screens since 1999, often sitting alongside Coleen Nolan, Denise Welch, Christine Lampard, and Janet Street-Porter. Off-screen, her love story has been unconventional from the start. She met Ian more than thirty years ago—he was in his late twenties, coaching tennis and splitting his time between Italy and Scotland. In her own words, Ian wasn’t the kind of man looking to settle down at the time – and, as it turned out, neither was she.
"He’s not your standard, conventional guy," Kaye recalled in an interview with The Mirror. "Back then, I wasn’t imagining a wedding or white dress either. We just enjoyed being together – and before we knew it, years had rolled by." She even joked that if Ian came along with a dazzling ring and a fabulous holiday, she’d happily say yes. But the truth is, she insists she’s perfectly content without a marriage certificate, feeling no pressure to exchange vows just to prove loyalty or love.
After seven years together, Kaye and Ian made their biggest commitment – starting a family. They have two daughters: Charley, now 23, and Bonnie, 18. For Kaye, that was their version of a wedding. "Having children was our ultimate commitment," she said. "We wouldn’t have taken that step unless we were certain we’d stay together." For her, marriage is optional; raising a family together was the deeper pledge.
Despite being protective of their personal life, every now and then Kaye gives fans a glimpse into their private world. In 2022, she marked Ian’s 60th birthday with a cheeky Instagram post, calling it his "big six-love birthday." With playful humor, she noted, "The shorts might be longer and the hair might be shorter, but I can confirm his ball toss is still impeccable!"
And here’s the part that sparks debate: Is marriage truly necessary if both partners are committed, happy, and raising a family together? Some say it’s about legal protection and tradition; others agree with Kaye that it’s the emotional bond that counts. Where do you stand? Is a lifelong partnership without a wedding ring just as valid—or does skipping marriage mean something is missing? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
