BBC MOTD pundit 'given special permission from Royal Family' to marry at exclusive venue

It doesn't hurt to have friends in high places as Premier League icon Shay Given married his long-time partner in an exclusive establishment. The Match of the Day pundit wed his new wife, Rebecca Gibson, at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, after receiving special permission from the Royal Family . The Daily Mail reported the Archbishop of Canterbury also gave the happy couple his blessing to use the London landmark. But rather than ex- Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper Given's BBC connections playing any role, it was his other half's family ties that got their foot through the iconic doors.