Britain’s most married man, 68, to wed for NINTH time (after divorcing wife number eight)

Britain’s most married man is set to walk down the aisle for a ninth time – just as soon as his divorce from wife number eight comes through.

But Ron Sheppard said this will be the last time after the 68-year-old locked eyes with bride-to-be Cristel Marquez Lalec, 26, for the first time in 11 months at Heathrow airport as she flew in from the Philippines.

Former Pontins Bluecoat Ron greeted the beauty queen armed with flowers and a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates on Wednesday.

And he said he was “the happiest guy on Earth” despite the whopping 42-year age gap.

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Ron, a great-grandad, said he intends to spoil Cristel and says the first thing he will do is give her a tour of Yeovil, Somerset where they will share a modest ground-floor flat.

He said: “Love conquers all, age is just a number.

“People say I must be brave to have taken this on. Marrying a girl over 40 years younger is not brave. Having nine mother-in-laws – that’s bravery.

“Make no mistake about it, Cristel will be my forever wife.

“This one is real love. This is the last one – I promise.”

The airport reunion was the first time they have seen each other since frail Ron struggled down on one knee and popped the question 11 months ago.

But there is one major snag before wedding number nine can go ahead – Ron waiting to confirm his eighth marriage, to nurse Weng Platino, 36, – is over.

That is expected to happen in the new year.

Until then, Cristel, who has a seven-year-old son, intends to sample life here until January, then take the 19-hour flight back to the Philippines to take care of her lad.

She will then return for the wedding once Ron’s divorce from Weng is finalised.

Ron was hauled before Yeovil magistrates court last month for harassing his wife Weng, and was handed a restraining order and £600 fine.

Cristel was quick to pour scorn when questioned over her feelings for the sickly pensioner.

She said: “I know what it looks like but I am not here for a passport. I am not here to take advantage of Ron.”

Ron first met Cristel when he lived in Thailand with wife number seven Wan but lost contact.

Then last year, as his marriage with wife number eight Weng was hitting the rocks, Ron and Cristel found each other on Facebook and romance blossomed.

Love-struck Ron jetted off to the Philippines and spent the festive period with call centre worker Cristel and then asked her to marry him on New Year’s Eve.

He has been married for 44 of the past 47 years – the longest union lasting 13 years and the shortest just 10 months.