Rod Stewart surprises bride and groom hit by Thomas Cook collapse

The couple were treated to a performance from the singer in Las Vegas after Thomas Cook's collapse nearly ruined their big day.

David Mercer

Chief sub-editor @DavidMercerSky

Thursday 3 October 2019 16:21, UK

Rod Stewart
Image: Sir Rod Stewart performs during the wedding of Sharon Cook and Andrew Aitchison
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A British couple whose dream wedding was left "in tatters" by Thomas Cook's collapse have been treated to a surprise performance from Sir Rod Stewart as they tied the knot in Las Vegas.

Sharon Cook and Andrew Aitchison were due to marry at the famous Caesars Palace but the event was thrown into doubt because their entire wedding party had booked flights through the now-defunct travel firm.

After hearing of their plight, Caesars intervened and arranged for the Liverpool couple and 16 of their friends and family to be flown to Vegas so their big day could ahead as planned.

Rod Stewart
Image: The couple's wedding was nearly ruined by the collapse of Thomas Cook
Rod Stewart
Image: Sir Rod performed Have I Told You Lately during the ceremony

Ms Cook and Mr Aitchison were treated to first class tickets on Delta Air Lines before picked up in limousines and had their hotel accommodation upgraded to penthouse suites.

And the surprises did not stop there as Sir Rod arrived during their wedding ceremony to perform Have I Told You Lately.

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"Rod Stewart just turned up at our wedding and sang to my wife!" Mr Atichison wrote on Twitter.

"I can't believe what has happened in the last week and this has just topped it off.

Rod Stewart
Image: The groom hailed Sir Rod as an 'absolute legend'

"Thank you Rod you've absolutely made our dream wedding you absolute legend."

He added: "Just off to bed after the dream wedding day!"

Rod Stewart
Image: Caesers Palace organised the surprise appearance

After his performance, Sir Rod - who recently revealed he has been secretly fighting prostate cancer for three years - invited the bride and groom and their guests to watch his show at Caesers Palace on Friday.

Before flying to Vegas, Mr Aitchison posted on Twitter: "Five days ago travel & wedding plans in tatters. In 12 hrs there will be 18 of us heading to Heathrow for our Delta flight on our way to Caesars Palace."

Rod Stewart
Image: The couple and their guests were also invited to Sir Rod's Vegas show on Friday

Thomas Cook collapsed last week with the loss of 9,000 jobs and prompted the UK's biggest ever peacetime repatriation effort to return 150,000 stranded customers.

The company entered compulsory liquidation after it failed to secure an extra £200m needed to keep it afloat following talks with creditors and the government.

An inquiry has since been launched by the accounting watchdog into the auditors of the travel giant.

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