A COUPLE from East Lancashire overcame a major hitch to complete their wedding underneath Oxford’s dreaming spires — and even reached the altar with the best wishes of television detective Lewis.

Emily Crewe, of Brierfield, and Oliver Walker had hoped to have their reception in The Randolph Hotel, made famous by Lewis, alias Kevin Whately, and Morse, played by the late John Thaw.

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But the five-star venue was seriously damaged by fire last April when a blaze caused by a flambeed beef stroganoff spread from the kitchen to the first-floor offices.

Luckily the couple, with their 150-year-old first-choice indisposed, were able to secure an alternative booking at The Thames Four Pillars in the city. And on the eve of their nuptials, while dining at Browns in Oxford, the couple bumped into Kevin.

The former Auf Wiedersehen Pet star posed for a picture with them before wishing them well.

Later, the ceremony took place at Keble College Chapel, Oxford, where the groom was organ scholar.

Music is a central theme of their liaison as Emily is the concerts and artistic planning manager for popular choir The Sixteen.

Emily’s mum Virginia Crewe, careers co-ordinator at Hollins Technology College in Accrington, said: “The marriage service was just amazing.

“Because she manages The Sixteen, they were guests and the music was superb.

“This included a wedding present of a piece written by the composer Peter Nardonne.”

Emily’s father, Peter Crewe, is a project manager at St Christopher’s CE High in Accrington.

The couple will live in Solihull, after finishing their two-stop honeymoon in Cornwall and Nice.

After the reception at The Four Pillars, the special day continued with a ceilidh featuring Pendle folk band Frolicking Pete And The Fumbling Fingers.

Several musicians with strong links to Blackburn Cathedral were there, including Greg Morris and James Davy, now musical director at Chelmsford Cathedral, organ scholars Jonathan Turner and Justin Miller, and former members of the young people’s choir and Renaissance Singers, including Eleanor McManus, Sarah Davy, Adam Crewe, Naomi Crewe, Tom Daggett and Sarah Chew.